Miami Dolphins: Free Agent running backs to target this offseason

Melvin Gordon’s career has been somewhat of a roller coaster. In 2019 Gordon chose to hold out for the Los Angles Chargers and ended up paying the price for it.

As he sat out for the preseason and the first four games of the season, including one game where he did not play the week he decided to return, Austin Ekler emerged as a key piece to the team.

In the end, Ekler finished with 993 receiving yards and over 500 rushing yards, while Gordon finished with career lows in yards. It’s fair to say this is the opposite of James Conner’s situation.

After the Chargers let Gordon walk, he would go on to sign a 2-year deal with the Denver Broncos, the one that is set to end at the end of this season. Once again, Gordon is faced with steep competition as the Broncos drafted Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 draft.

This offseason it is likely that Gordon hits free agency. The former two-time Pro Bowler is currently splitting carries with Williams and Denver will likely want to keep any cap available to go after a quarterback.

For the Dolphins, Gordon would give the team a running back who has not been a workhorse for the past three seasons but does have Pro Bowl experience and could lead a committee. The Dolphins could target Gordon and bring him on for a year or two while developing a young running back.

Gordon has proven that he can still be a productive player, he currently has 808 rushing yards, 207 receiving yards, and 9 total touchdowns on the season. The Dolphins need instant production from the running back position and Gordon should be able to bring that.