NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back

22. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos

In 2018 Gordon was in a similar situation to where Dalvin Cook is now. The Wisconsin product wanted a contract extension before his rookie deal ended, and he wanted to get paid like a top running back. Gordon watched Le’Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott, and Todd Gurley all get paid like kings, and he wanted a piece of the pie.

Unfortunately, Gordon found out the hard way that NFL teams didn’t believe he belonged in the conversation with the league’s elite running backs. He held out into the 2019 season, but the Chargers new gave him a high-paying offer. Eventually, Gordon ended his holdout and reported to the team.

Gordon appeared in 12 games for the Chargers, producing 612 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He also played a role in the passing game but saw his overall production suffer. After averaging 114.6 yards from scrimmage per game in 2018, Gordon only averaged 75.7 this past season.

While he can put up raw numbers, Gordon is one of the least efficient running backs in the NFL. In four of his five seasons, the former Pro Bowler averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per attempt. Gordon also fumbled four times last year.

With a new deal not forthcoming, Gordon entered free agency this offseason and signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Broncos. He and former undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay will battle for starting snaps in 2020. While Lindsay is arguably the better pure running back, Denver doesn’t seem sold on him long-term, which is disappointing.

Gordon will make $7 million next year while Lindsay will make $755,000 in the final year of his current contract.