Los Angeles Chargers: Could Melvin Gordon rush for 2,000 yards In 2017?
By Derek Snyder
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon played very well in 2016, but could even more be in store for 2017?
After having an average rookie season, Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon rewarded fantasy owners last season by rushing for nearly 1,000 yards in only 13 games. The former Wisconsin Badger showed the league why he deserved to be the Chargers’ featured back and took some major pressure off of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers.
Gordon rushed for 997 yards in 2016, but only played 13 games due to an injury to his hip and knee. If he can stay healthy in 2017, there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t rush for 1,500 yards, but could he break the barrier of 2,000?
According to Pro Football Reference, there has only been seven players that have ever rushed for 2,000 yards in a season.
- Eric Dickerson: 2,105 yards
- Adrian Peterson: 2,097 yards
- Jamal Lewis: 2,066 yards
- Barry Sanders: 2,053 yards
- Terrell Davis: 2,008 yards
- Chris Johnson: 2,006 yards
- O.J. Simpson: 2,003 yards
Those are some big-time names on that list, but it took some incredible efforts to be able to make that feat possible. Meaning, it took a ton of carries for those players to break through the 2,000 yard barrier.
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The Chargers’ receiving core is absolutely loaded this season and that will eat into Gordon’s production a bit. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible for him to get there.
Gordon torched the Denver Broncos last season for 205 yards in two games. Not to mention, they played each other twice over the course of three weeks. Due to the pass rushers in the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers must rely on Gordon heavily in divisional games this season.
If Gordon can stay healthy and the Chargers decide to lean on him in division-play, the former Wisconsin Badger just might find a way to reach 2,000 yards. In a league where passing has become excessive, the Chargers must find a steady balance within their offensive scheme to stay successful.
That means one thing for sure, everyone reading this must draft Melvin Gordon on their fantasy football team this year.
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What say you Chargers fans? Can Melvin Gordon become the eight player all-time to reach 2,000 rushing yards in one season?