The Future of the San Diego Chargers Backfield
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
If the Bolts were to drat a back in the first round, the top three candidates would have to be Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, Georgia’s Toddy Gurley and Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah. More likely than not, Gordon and Gurley will go in the lower first round, if not the upper second round.
I don’t believe that drafting Gordon early would be in the Chargers best interests. The Chargers need major offensive line help. What would probably be the best option would be to draft a run-minded offensive guard or tackle. By stacking their offensive line through the draft and free agency, the Chargers have the potential for a very effective running game. Once they have the solid blocking up front, they can accomplish anything.
With that stated, I do think that the Chargers should draft a back. It would probably be a lanky, but speedy back that has experience (they already have two small running backs already).
According to Bleacher Report’s Max Garland, “South Carolina’s Mike Davis, Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon and Boise State’s Jay Ajayi all could be available in Round 4 due to the NFL’s view on running backs. Further down the list include Texas’ Malcolm Brown and Michigan State’s Jeremy Langford. None of these players would be bad options, although the Chargers should be specifically looking for someone to replace Ryan Mathews as the up-the-middle power runner. Davis or Langford would nicely complement Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver.”
A selection of one of these backs will bring a running back controversy to San Diego, but it will breed better play from everybody. As some say, controversy brings competition and competition produces the best possible option for a team. At the moment, it is hard to tell who’s the front runner (no pun intended), but training camp should give us a clearer indication of who’s legit and who isn’t.