The San Diego Chargers need to add a running back to its roster. Ryan Mathews signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency and Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown are far from sure things. The Chargers liked to use Mathews as a workhorse back when he was healthy over the last five seasons. It's likely that they will be looking for a similar arrangement with a new player going forward.
Who will that player be and where will they find him?
"The draft remains the more traditional and probable route for the Chargers," Michael Gehlken of the UT San Diego Times wrote.
"They could have their pick of the litter with the No. 17 overall pick in the first round, although with their number of needs, they're anything but pigeonholed at the spot. No running back has been drafted in the first round the past two years, and there's solid depth in this draft class.
"That said, the Chargers need a game wrecker on offense. Georgia's Todd Gurley, widely considered the top prospect at the position, looked every bit like one prior to a torn anterior cruciate ligament last November. If the medical checks out, he is at the very least an option."
Another option is Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. Gordon, 6-0 and 215 pounds, rushed for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014. He finished second to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota in the Heisman voting. Gordon does come with some mileage but he does not have the same injury concerns as Gurley.
If the Chargers decide they want to take a running back, they may have to compete with the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys. Both teams have been linked to the top two ball carrier's in this year's draft class. Although San Diego picks before both of them, a move up the draft board is always possible.
The NFL draft will begin on April 30.
