Buffalo Bills should target Melvin Gordon in free agency

The Buffalo Bills rely heavily on the run game under Sean McDermott and impending free agent Melvin Gordon could be the perfect addition to the team.

The 2019 Buffalo Bills impressed many people with their progression during quarterback Josh Allen’s second season under centre, earning a 10-6 record to reach the playoffs for the second time in three years.

While the defence largely led the way, on offence the emergence of a reliable running game has helped head coach Sean McDermott build a team that may compete in the AFC East far more consistently.

The Bills combined for over 2000 yards on the ground in 2019, with three players reaching the 500 points mark in that time.

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Leading the way was rookie running back Devin Singletary, selected from Florida Atlantic in the third round (74th overall) of last year’s draft.

The 5-foot-7, 203lbs runner racked up 775 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in his first season in the NFL, adding a further 194 receiving yards.

Future Hall of Famer Frank Gore appeared almost ageless at times in 2019, earning 599 yards on the ground with two touchdowns at the age of 36.

Allen once again earned the most rushing touchdowns on the team with nine, having 510 yards on the ground to give the Bills an almost three-headed monster that teams needed to account for, at times struggling to do so.

But with Gore’s future up in the air, potentially seeing the long-time San Francisco 49ers back join another team in free agency, the Bills need to make a move to sure up an area that has been reliable in recent seasons.

One player that could be the perfect replacement to give the Bills yet another threatening running attack, is impending free agent Melvin Gordon.

Gordon is rumoured to be heading to the open market after the Los Angeles Chargers handed backup running back Austin Ekeler a four-year contract extension, with last year’s starter still without a new deal.

The 26-year-old former 2015 first-round pick out of Wisconsin was considered trade bait earlier last season and there was a chance the Bills could’ve made an offer for him.

Ultimately he finished the season with the Chargers, leading the team with 612 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, making him one of the premier producers in the red zone along the ground.

Now that he appears to be moving on from the California team, the Buffalo Bills could be a tempting destination, with a young, up-and-coming roster that should’ve progressed beyond the wild card round in this year’s playoffs.

Having Gordon join the Bills to play alongside Singletary would be a significant upgrade and would allow general manager Brandon Beane the opportunity to address other areas of need through the draft.

At the time of writing, the Buffalo Bills have one of the healthiest caps in the league with roughly $83 million available to spend on upgrades in free agency or through the draft, meaning they could accommodate Gordon’s expected contract demands comfortably while still being able to bolster other areas.

The team is becoming more competitive, with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins still going through rebuilds of their own, and the Upstate New York team could be one of the better landing destinations for Gordon.

What do you think Bills Mafia? Should the team target a player such as Melvin Gordon? What other running back options should they explore in free agency or in the draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!