Buffalo Bills should try to trade for running back Melvin Gordon
By James Reeve
The Buffalo Bills are looking like a legitimate playoff contender and making a move at the trade deadline could go a long way.
With the Buffalo Bills currently sitting at 5-1-0 after their opening six games, reaching the playoffs is starting to look more like an expectation than hope.
The team’s success has largely come thanks to a stout defensive unit that ranks in the Top-Ten in the league for total points allowed (15.2), total yards (292.7), passing yards (201.3) and rushing yards (91.3).
While this has been a particularly impressive showing for the team, Sean McDermott will still be somewhat concerned with the team’s struggles on offence.
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The Bills currently rank 22nd in the NFL for total points averaged (20.2) and 17th for total yards (361.2) and could do with making a splash at the trade deadline to add another weapon on the offensive side of the ball.
One player that the Bills could be the ideal match for is running back Melvin Gordon, who is likely running out of time with the Los Angeles Chargers after initially holding out for a new, big-money contract extension.
Since returning to the team, Gordon has struggled to get things going and has just 81 rushing yards in three games.
With Gordon an unrestricted free agent after the 2019 season, the Chargers are likely to try to cash in now and take an asset in exchange for a player they appear set to move on from.
In a recent article for NFL.com, Marc Sessler recently surmised that the Buffalo Bills could potentially acquire Gordon for as little as a third-round draft pick in 2020.
This would be exceptional value for the Bills, with Gordon likely needing a fresh start to get back to the form that has seen him become one of the most reliable running backs in the game.
In seasons past, Gordon has played at a 1000 yard pace over a 16-game season, reaching that mark in the 2017 season and falling just three yards short the season before.
He had 28 touchdowns between 2016 and 2018 and would add extra value to the Bills due to his ability to catch the ball.
Since entering the league in 2015, Gordon has racked up 1611 receiving yards with an additional 11 touchdowns through the air, making him a legitimate dual-threat option out of the backfield.
With the Bills currently relying on 36-year-old Frank Gore (388 rushing yards, two touchdowns) to lead the line behind quarterback Josh Allen, they will need to look at potential long-term replacements while adding quality immediately.
Allen, in his second season in the NFL, has the second-most rushing yards on the team with 190, showing a serious lack of quality behind the future Hall of Famer Gore.
Gordon would arrive in Buffalo needing to prove himself to the organisation, potentially helping to guide them into the postseason and maintain the strong early form that has them sitting second in the AFC East.
With the Buffalo Bills having almost $27 million in cap space, Gordon’s $4,615,882 cap hit wouldn’t cause many concerns.
Next. Bills need Allen to make a statement. dark
What do you think though Bills fans? Would you be happy seeing someone such as Gordon brought to Upstate New York? Who else should the team target ahead of the trade deadline? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!