Broncos training camp: 3 Fantasy football storylines to watch in Denver
By Samuel Teets
1. Running backs dividing carries
The Broncos made a controversial move this offseason when they signed Melvin Gordon to a two-year, $16 million deal. Gordon joins a team that already features Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay. During his first two seasons in the NFL, Lindsay ran for 2,048 yards and accumulated 2,485 yards from scrimmage. Freeman added 1,017 rushing yards and 328 receiving yards during that time.
In the past, Lindsay served as a reliable fantasy back while Freeman found himself adding depth to rosters in larger leagues. However, Gordon’s arrival threatens the fantasy values of both third-year running backs. Denver gave Gordon a deal worth $8 million annually. Teams don’t pay running backs that much unless they plan on utilizing them heavily.
Last year was Gordon’s worst season since his rookie campaign. The Wisconsin product held out for a new deal, which resulted in him never going through training camp and missing Los Angeles’ first four games. Gordon could see his production even out in Denver, but that all depends on how the Broncos split carries between their three relevant running backs.
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Gordon finished 25th in fantasy points among running backs in standard leagues last season. In 2018, he ranked sixth. In comparison, Lindsay finished 12th in 2018 and 19th this past season. Freeman ranked 47th as a rookie and 40th in 2019. That’s a lot of production stuffed into one backfield. Someone is going to end up sacrificing snaps.