Melvin Gordon – RB
There were more than a few eyebrows raised when the Broncos decided to sign Melvin Gordon to a two-year, $16 million deal that included a $13.5 million guaranteed in free agency. The running back didn’t get the lucrative extension he was after from the Los Angeles Chargers and although he took his time to get going in a new environment, the player has shown enormous promise of late.
Gordon comes into the game at the Carolina Panthers on the back of his best statistical performance of the campaign by a considerable margin. The former first-round pick gained 131 yards on the ground from just 15 carries against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and he’ll see this as another big opportunity to boost his numbers.
Carolina’s defense has improved dramatically from their season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Phil Snow’s unit is giving up 115.1 yards-per-game on the ground, which represents a solid turnaround from the 143.5 yards on average they were sacrificing in 2019.
The Broncos have two stud running backs in Gordon and Phillip Lindsay. Considering the struggles quarterback Drew Lock is currently going through, it would be a surprise if Denver didn’t lean on them heavily in a bid to tip the scales in their favor.
This is something the Panthers should be aware of. But their task won’t be aided by Zach Kerr potentially missing the clash.