Gordon started training camp as the fourth back on the Dolphins’ depth chart, but things have changed quickly over the last few weeks. Alexander Mattison suffered a season-ending neck injury in preseason and now, Wright is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season after undergoing a “small procedure”, per Miami HC Mike McDaniel. To make matters worse, No. 1 back De’Von Achane is also dealing with a calf injury.
Achane is expected to be ready for Week 1, but calf injuries are always very concerning. The Dolphins have signed veterans Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty with the team shorthanded in the backfield, but Gordon appears to be the clear No.2 back behind Achane with Wright sidelined, making Gordon a worthwhile late-round pick to pursue in fantasy football drafts.
Gordon was selected in the sixth-round by Miami in this past NFL draft and just two years ago, he led the nation with 1,732 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns at Oklahoma State. In his three years at Oklahoma State, Gordon averaged 5.4 YPC and he finished with 3,505 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns.
Gordon wasn’t much of a receiving threat in college, but he was a great short yardage runner who averaged more than one touchdown per game, making him a strong match for the Dolphins. While Achane is one of the most elusive backs in the NFL, he struggled mighty as a rusher in the redzone last season, averaging just 1.4 YPC, which ranked dead last among the 39 running backs that saw at least 20 redzone carries. Achane racked 38 redzone carries, but was only able to find the paydirt five times on those rushes.
Gordon operating as Miami’s main goal line and short yardage back this season is a strong possibility, and he should also steal some primary ground work from Achane, especially in the early stages of the season with the back dealing with a calf injury. Gordon could have decent standalone value this season and if Achane was ever to go down for an extended period, Gordon would be in line to be possibly the Dolphins’ featured back. The 21-year-old has a current ADP around 150 for most fantasy football formats and Gordon is absolutely worth taking a flier on that late in drafts.
