Chargers trade up to select Melvin Gordon 15th overall
Follow the action with our NFL Draft Tracker, which includes all seven rounds, scouting profiles, trades and rumors.
The San Diego Chargers made a bold move up to snag running back Melvin Gordon out of Wisconsin with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
San Diego traded the 17th overall pick, a 2015 fourth-round selection and a 2016 fifth-round selection in order to receive the 15th overall selection from the San Francisco 49ers.
Gordon put together one of the most impressive collegiate careers in recent history, rushing for 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns in his junior campaign. The Wisconsin product possesses an excellent combination of size and speed and will be able to bowl through or go around defenders at the NFL level.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder is tough to take down in the open field, sporting excellent balance and agility. Gordon could become the multifaceted back the Chargers have been seeking since LaDainian Tomlinson as the 22-year-old is rapidly improving as a receiver.
Gordon will immediately supplant Branden Oliver, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown as the Chargers' starting running back and will get the brunt of carriers in his rookie season. If he puts together a productive rookie campaign, Gordon could elevate the Chargers to Super Bowl contention.
Melvin Gordon Bio
Position: RB
School: Wisconsin
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215 lbs.
Age: 22
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd Dash | 4.52 sec |
| Bench Press | 19 reps |
| Vertical Jump | 35 inches |
| Broad Jump | 126 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 7.04 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.07 sec |
Strengths
- Excellent combination of size and speed.
- Great foot speed. Legs stay active as he searches for the hole.
- A decisive, downhill runner. Very slippery in the open field.
- Excellent balance. Bounces off contact from smaller defensive backs.
- A capable and improving receiver.
- Incredibly productive college career. Topped 200 yards in a game six times and led the nation with 29 rushing touchdowns.
Weaknesses
- High-cut frame with less-than-ideal leg bulk.
- Occasionally slows as he approaches the hole. Needs to be more decisive.
- Has a tendency to bounce runs to the outside when he shouldn't.
- A boom or bust runner. Too many carries go for no gain or a loss.
- Too many fumbles.
- Runs with physicality, but not necessarily functional strength.
- Difficult to evaluate his college stats because they were inflated by numerous long runs through gaping holes. He won't see the same running lanes as a pro.