The San Diego Chargers are expected to have Melvin Gordon as the starter for Philip Rivers at running back and he is the best fantasy football draft option for the team along with Rivers, Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Stevie Johnson heading into the 2015 season.
Gordon is coming into the season with high expectations after being a first round pick and now that Rivers is signed long term, this tandem could be together for a good stretch for the Chargers. Gordon was one of the most productive backs in college football last season and now he is going to get the chance to be a starter in the NFL. According to Pro Football Talk, Gordon was not rated as a great pass catcher or pass blocker coming out of school, but running backs coach Ollie Wilson said that it hasn't been an issue.
According to ESPN.com, Wilson commented that he "hasn't seen anything" that suggests Gordon "lacks the pass protection skills he needs to play in the NFL." Gordon is coming in as the top back on the depth chart and he is in ahead of Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown to start the season. Woodhead is considered a very good pass catcher and he likely will handle that, but he is coming back from an injury and the Chargers will have to be mindful of that. Oliver stepped up last season and he could see a solid amount of work depending on how Gordon plays.
Woodhead was very productive for the Chargers in 2013 after coming over from the New England Patriots, but he was injured last year and only played in three games. Woodhead rushed for 429 yards and had 76 catches for 605 yards the previous season and eight combined touchdowns and that is the type of production that the Chargers are hoping for this year. The Union-Tribune San Diego reports from camp that the Chargers are planning to use Woodhead as a "key cog" for the passing game and on third downs.
Rivers had a strong season last year with 31 touchdowns and a 66 percent completion rate and now he has Woodhead back, Keenan Allen for year three and also new additions in Stevie Johnson and Jacoby Jones. That depth could be big for Allen, as defenses now cannot zero in on him on passing downs and in other situations. Allen had 77 catches for 783 yards last season and while he dropped off from his yards and TDs, he increased his receptions. Oliver is coming in after rushing for 582 yards and he helped replace Woodhead last season.
