Melvin Gordon Rumors: Ex-Chargers RB Interested in Dolphins at 'Right Price'

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly expected to check in on running back Melvin Gordon III during free agency.

According to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe, the Dolphins figure to bring in a veteran running back, and Gordon would have interest "at the right price."

Wolfe noted Carlos Hyde, Lamar Miller, Jordan Howard and Frank Gore are also options for the Dolphins if they are unable or unwilling to meet Gordon's asking price.

Running back is one of Miami's biggest needs after it traded Kenyan Drake to the Arizona Cardinals last season. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was the Dolphins' leading rusher in 2019 with 243 yards, and Mark Walton was tops among running backs with only 201 yards.

Kalen Ballage, Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird are among the Miami running backs under contract for next season, but they haven't shown the ability to start.

According to Wolfe, the Dolphins are slated to have $95 million in salary-cap space once they officially release safety Reshad Jones and center Daniel Kilgore when the new league year begins Wednesday. That means they will have plenty of ammo to improve their backfield and other positions.

Aside from Derrick Henry, who may get franchise-tagged by the Tennessee Titans, Gordon is perhaps the best, most accomplished running back available in free agency.

In five seasons with the Chargers, the 26-year-old Gordon rushed for 4,240 yards and 36 touchdowns, and has caught 224 passes for 1,873 yards and 11 scores.

Gordon missed the start of last season because of a contract-related holdout, but he returned to appear in 12 games, finishing with 612 yards and eight scores on the ground, plus 42 grabs for 296 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Although Gordon is a capable pass-catcher and short-yardage back, he is lacking in explosiveness. He has only reached the 4.0 yards-per-carry mark in a season once and only has one 1,000-yard rushing season.

Gordon's most efficient year came in 2018 when he rushed for 885 yards (5.1 YPC) and 10 touchdowns, and caught 50 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns in just 12 games.

Austin Ekeler emerged as the Chargers' preferred running back last season, and since L.A. signed Ekeler to a new deal earlier this month, it seems likely that Gordon is on his way out.

Miami could be a good fit for Gordon, but since the Dolphins have so many other needs, the team may not be willing to break the bank for him.

The Dolphins also have three first-round picks in the 2020 NFL draft, which means they will likely be able to take the running back of their choice, whether it's Georgia's D'Andre Swift, Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor, Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins or LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire.