NFL: Each Team’s Biggest 2015 X-Factor

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Chargers RB Melvin Gordon

Burgeoning star Jason Verrett and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram deserve shouts here, but Melvin Gordon is an important part of the Chargers after the team took him with the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. He’s been off to a slow start by showing below-average vision and dancing too often, but there’s no doubting his home-run ability and the fact that he’ll benefit greatly from playing in a Philip Rivers-led offense.

Gordon will be part of a committee to start the 2015 season, and it’s on him to become the featured back he was mean to be right off the bat.

Last season, we all saw how the wheels fell off of the Chargers offense when feature back Ryan Mathews went down with an injury, as the Chargers average of 3.4 yards per carry was the second-worst in the NFL. This team has playoff aspirations, and they simply cannot afford to be anywhere near that ineffective on the ground.

Next: A Raiders Receiver