The Arizona Cardinals finished the regular season as the 31st ranked rushing team in the league, mustering just 81.8 yards per game. Some of that had to do with inconsistent offensive line play, and some of that had to do with struggles by lead back Andre Ellington.
Although Ellington proved to be a capable receiver out of the backfield (46 receptions for 395 yards and two touchdowns in just 12 games this season), his increased workload proved too much for him. Ellington carried the ball a career high 201 times and managed just a 3.3 yards per carry average before missing the season's final four games due to injury. The Cardinals believe Ellington can return to the explosive player he was in his rookie season if he isn't asked to be the team's lead back.
Enter Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon.
ESPN's NFL draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. has the Cardinals selecting Gordon with the 24th pick in his Mock Draft 1.0.
"There have been exactly zero running backs selected in the first round over the past two drafts, but Gordon is certainly worthy of breaking that streak," Kiper wrote. "The Cardinals front office has done a great job piecing together this roster, as evidenced by the fact that they were as competitive as they were given the health problems at quarterback, and while Gordon might sound like a luxury pick, he's really not if you consider how much explosiveness was lost when Andre Ellington got hurt.
"If you rely on a player such as Ellington, it's good to have another player like him. Gordon is that - only better. Ultra-explosive when he finds space, he runs with patience and vision and can outrun the field when he gets a crease, a big reason why he averaged 7.5 yards per carry even when everybody knew he was getting the ball. He's just what this offense needs, assuming they get back a healthy Carson Palmer."
The Cardinals (11-5) were eliminated by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the playoffs this year. Adding a weapon such as Gordon could help take the pressure off a recovering Palmer and give this offense another dimension.
The Dallas Cowboys, who pick at 27, are also rumored to be interested in Gordon as a potential replacement for pending free agent DeMarco Murray.
