Houston Texans should kick the tires for Melvin Gordon
By Jair Lopez
Los Angeles Chargers running back, Melvin Gordon, makes a lot of sense for the Houston Texans after losing Lamar Miller for the 2019 season.
In what seems to be a nightmare of an offseason for the Houston Texans, they could be in the market for another running back after losing Lamar Miller for the season due to an injury. Miller tore his ACL and MCL in his knee against the Dallas Cowboys in what sadly turned out to be his first and last game of the 2019 season. His injury raises immediate red flags for the offense as they lose their number one running back on the depth chart.
Texans currently have Gregory Howell, Taiwan Jones, Josh Ferguson, Damarea Crockett, Karan Higdon, and recently acquired Duke Johnson via trade from the Cleveland Browns. Texans don’t have a lot of experienced backs on the roster that are capable of manning the running game with Miller’s absence.
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Howell is the sole back returning from last season after spending the majority of his rookie season playing on special teams. Meanwhile, Johnson is a good running back in his own right, but he was never viewed as a threat to take most of the snaps from Miller.
Texans are not likely to stand pat with their current roster and could begin their search for a starting-caliber running back across the league. Disgruntled Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is one obvious option that makes sense as he is in a standstill with his current team in what he should his salary should be moving forward. It is important to add that it takes two to tango, and the Chargers would have to be willing to be part with their former 2015 first-round pick.
According to Spotrac, Gordon is slotted to make $5,605,000 in his fifth-year option; which is well below what he should make if he was allowed to test the market in free agency. Acquiring Gordon could be expensive as the Texans recently gave up a conditional future fourth-round pick for Johnson, but a higher draft pick for Gordon could be worth the price.
The asking price would be high as the Chargers would be losing their premier back but if the Texans would be willing to offer a future second-round draft selection; there is no reason why the Chargers would not at least consider it. The trade itself would be a bold and risky one to take with the time remaining until the regular season, but it could be a necessary trade to make to take advantage of the Texans window for a Super Bowl with the emergence of quarterback, Deshaun Watson.
Running backs remain an important focal point across the league despite the popular moniker of the NFL being of a pass-happy league. Unless one of the running backs makes an enormous leap this season, Texans will be in need of a starting running back beyond this season with Miller hitting free agency in 2020.
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Gordon could be extended beyond this season if acquired for the Texans and solve their issue at the position as he is entering the prime of his career at 26 years of age. It would take a lot of maneuvering for both sides to make it work, but it could occur if the Chargers are not able to give Gordon the money he would earn in the open market.