Running back Melvin Gordon was selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers to give quarterback Philip Rivers a running game. But the plan didn’t go well last year as Gordon averaged 3.5 yards per carry and did score a touchdown.
I believe Gordon is a star waiting to happen but the Chargers didn’t do much to help him help the team last year. The injuries on the offensive line didn’t help to Gordon or Rivers in pass protection. But the Chargers also didn’t adjust their system to fit what Gordon does well.
Gordon did his best work out of the I formation at Wisconsin but the Chargers had not used a fullback in nearly three years. Then back comes offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who likes to run the football. And in the sixth round, the Chargers drafted fullback Derek Watt.
Watt is most known for being the brother of J.J. Watt, known as the NFL’s best defensive player. But the 6’2″, 236-pound fullback has his own skill set that can help an NFL team. In 47 career games at Wisconsin Badgers he had 309 receiving yards and 60 rushing yards.
But the part of Watt’s skill set that’s going to help the Chargers is blocking for Gordon like he did in college. Gordon had his two best seasons with Watt at fullback, rushing for 4,196 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns. He’s also excellent at catching the ball out of the backfield.
Head coach Mike McCoy to Chargers.com, “He’s shown some good versatility whether it’s in pass protection, catching the ball or running routes. The staff has done a good job putting some things together in two-back. We have a system in place that has been here, and no matter who you have doing it, you want flexibility.
“He has shown he can do all of those things for us.”
There’s nothing wrong with a little family genetics playing a part in trying to get a player to help your team. And in the process, the Chargers have adjusted their system to give Watt a chance to look out for Gordon like he has before. The offensive line is back and healthy too.
So now, we get a chance to see how good Gordon can be!