The San Diego Chargers backfield was bit hard by the injury bug this year. Ryan Mathews, Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead all missed time this season due to injury. While undrafted rookie free agent Branden Oliver filled in admirably, it's clear that the Chargers could use someone more reliable back there, especially with Mathews hitting free agency.
Could San Diego turn to the NFL draft for running back help? ESPN Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. believes so, as he projects the Chargers to select Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon with the 17th overall pick.
"There hasn't been a running back taken in the first round since 2012, when Doug Martin (No. 31) and David Wilson (No. 32) went back to back at the end of Round 1," Kiper wrote. "Branden Oliver gave the Chargers good value at the position last season as a rookie after going undrafted out of Buffalo, but the fact that they needed so many reps from the undrafted free agent shows the depth chart is thin if injuries strike. Gordon has the kind of game-changing talent that puts this position back into play this early. He was simply unstoppable even when everybody in the stadium knew he was getting the ball in 2014, and while he piled up the reps, he emerged healthy. San Diego could really use this kind of weapon to take the pressure off Philip Rivers. Gordon is a home-run threat."
San Diego ranked just 30th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (85.4) last season. While some of that had to do with injuries up front on the offensive line, adding more dynamic talent to the backfield wouldn't hurt. Gordon rushed for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014 as a Heisman finalist. His addition would be welcomed in San Diego.
