NFL free agency odds updated for former Chargers RB Melvin Gordon
SportsLine oddsmakers updated odds on where Melvin Gordon will play in the 2020 season.
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With NFL free agency now officially underway and many players putting the finishing touches on contracts they agreed to during the early negotiation period, former Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon remains unsigned. The two-time Pro Bowler held out early last season before returning to post 908 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns in 12 games.
Those were his worst numbers since his rookie season in 2015. And after Todd Gurley was released by the Rams and signed to a one-year contract with the Falcons that is believed to be for $5 million, it paints a pretty bleak picture for Gordon, who held out while franchise-tagged in hopes of signing a long-term contract.
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However, there will still be a market for his services and at 26 years old (he turns 27 on April 13), he's still got time to earn a more lucrative deal next offseason if he's willing to risk a one-year contract like Gurley. So that means fit is ultimately the most important thing for Gordon as he looks at where he wants to play in 2020.
With that in mind, SportsLine oddsmakers have taken another look at what roster Gordon is most likely to be on in Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season. These odds are for informational purposes only.
Now that Todd Gurley is off the market, which team will Melvin Gordon be playing for Week 1 of the 2020 season?
Bucs +200
Bills +250
Dolphins +400
Cardinals +700
Colts +800
Steelers +1000
Broncos +1200
Eagles +1500
After signing Tom Brady to lead an offense that already includes Pro Bowl wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, adding a feature back like Gordon could make the Buccaneers one of the best offenses in football. And Bruce Arians' offense was at its best in 2015 when the Cardinals had balance with Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown leading the passing attack and a solid rushing attack with David Johnson and Chris Johnson.
However, after trading for Stefon Diggs earlier this week, the Bills could also put together a potentially exciting (and young) offense with Josh Allen and they've already got a defense in place to be competitive in the AFC. Not to mention, the weather in Buffalo might be more conducive to Gordon carrying a heavy workload and earning big money in 2021.
Looking a little further down the odds board, the Dolphins, Cardinals, Colts, Steelers, Broncos and Eagles all have running back needs of varying degrees. But there aren't many guarantees out there that Gordon can come and get 15-20 touches each week and, even though there are more serious contenders like the Eagles and Steelers there, things would probably have to fall through in Tampa Bay and Buffalo before these were serious options. Unless there was a surprising offer on the table from a team with money to burn like Miami.
Ultimately, the Buccaneers probably offer a best of both worlds situation where Gordon has a chance to contend with a team that is putting all its chips to the center of the table and can earn a lot of touches. Because while Buffalo offers similar circumstances, Allen creates a bit more uncertainty than Brady.
Written by Ryan Wooden
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