San Diego Chargers select Melvin Gordon No. 15 in 2015 NFL draft

Melvin Gordon has been compared to Jamaal Charles, and the Wisconsin running back with eye-popping 2014 numbers will stabilize the Chargers' running back carousel.

Doug Farrar | Apr 27, 2015

San Diego Chargers select Melvin Gordon No. 15 in 2015 NFL draft /

The Chargers traded up two spots with the San Francisco 49ers, giving away a fourth-round pick in this draft and a fifth-rounder in 2016 to select Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, one of the most productive and prolific backs in recent collegiate history. While he doesn't have the pure strength of Todd Gurley, Gordon is a perfect one-cut-and-go runner who is used to playing behind a ginormous offensive line—which is what he'll be doing with his new team. For the 9-7 Chargers in 2014, Branden Oliver led the team with 160 carries for 582 yards and three touchdowns. Oliver was put in that spot due to injuries to San Diego's other, better-known backs, and Gordon is a major, major upgrade.

Gordon's 2,587 yards on the ground and 29 touchdowns both led the nation in 2014, and comparisons to Chiefs speedster Jamaal Charles are frequent and instructive. Philip Rivers might want to stick and stay with the Chargers after this move.

• 2015 NFL draft grades: Pick-by-pick analysis and scouting reports

Strengths: Impressive speed to and through the hole. Accelerates to top speed quickly, which allows him to be very effective on draws and delays. Second gear has him moving smoothly pact linebackers and into the secondary in a big hurry. Has the speed and cutting ability to jump multiple gaps. Tremendous balance—doesn't lose his base when moving laterally; keeps his shoulders straight and the speed on. Home-run potential on nearly every play as long as he gets through an open gap at the line. Best as an outside rusher where he can utilize his acceleration to eat up huge chunks of yardage.—DF

Weaknesses: Reportedly held to zero or negative yards on nearly 20 percent of his carries, and that shows up on tape. A fairly big back, but he's not a power player who will consistently break through the first line if gaps aren't open. Not creative enough to get out of trash after first contact—needs to use his vision better to get out of trouble. Breaks tackles with acceleration more than raw power. Runs too upright at times and loses leverage. Could get lost in the NFL unless he learns to take advantage of smaller and quicker-closing gaps. Benefited from a physical, imposing line in college, and may need that at the next level. Average receiver who will need to improve this aspect of his game as a professional. Fumbled multiple times down the stretch in the 2014 season.—DF

Player comparison:Jamaal Charles

Grade: A

GALLERY: SCENES FROM THE NFL DRAFT

2015 NFL Draft in Pictures

The stage prior to the start of the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Don Juan Moore/Characterlines for Sports Illustrated

Jameis Winston takes the call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who made him the first pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans react after their team drafted former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick during the NFL draft party in Tampa, Fla.

Jameis Winston posed for SI in his new team's jersey after he was taken No. 1.

Marcus Mariota at his draft party in Honolulu.

Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton picks up NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as he celebrates after being selected by the Cleveland Browns as the 12th pick.

Fans cheer after Kevin White of the West Virginia Mountaineers was picked seventh by the Chicago Bears.

Bears fans cheer Chicago's selection of Kevin White of West Virginia Mountaineers.

Dante Fowler with commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Stanford offensive lineman Andrus Peat, right, talks to Deion Sanders after being selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 13th pick in the first round.

Green Bay Packers fans cheer during the first round of the draft.

A look at some of the NFL team representatives at the draft.

Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree celebrates after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 22nd pick in the first round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans Keith Kunzig and David Miller are excited to have traveled from Florida to be at the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Shane Ray checks out his threads.

Leonard Williams is interviewed outside the draft venue before being taken by the New York Jets.

Jameis Winston waiting for the call.

The scene inside the Jameis Winston draft gathering.

X159534_TK1_174.w.JPG — Kent Nishimura for SI

Marcus Mariotta in Hawaii before the first round began.

img_54cc-3ada.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Two Patriots fans in Chicago.

Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly arriving at the NFL Draft.

img_c019-5024.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Chicago mounted police before the first round commenced.

img_3bf6-3442.w.JPG — Todd Rosenberg for SI

Dante Fowler's shoes on draft night.

Chicago welcomed the NFL Draft with open arms.

The view from outside Roosevelt University Auditorium Theatre.

NFL prospect Trae Waynes of Michigan State talks to pediatric patient Alec Cabacungan while doing a mock interview during the NFL PLAY 60 activities at Shriners Hospital for Children on Thursday, April 30 in Chicago.

Published Apr 27, 2015

DOUG FARRAR

SI.com contributing NFL writer and Seattle resident Doug Farrar started writing about football locally in 2002, and became Football Outsiders' West Coast NFL guy in 2006. He was fascinated by FO's idea to combine Bill James with Dr. Z, and wrote for the site for six years. He wrote a game-tape column called "Cover-2" for a number of years, and contributed to six editions of "Pro Football Prospectus" and the "Football Outsiders Almanac." In 2009, Doug was invited to join Yahoo Sports' NFL team, and covered Senior Bowls, scouting combines, Super Bowls, and all sorts of other things for Yahoo Sports and the Shutdown Corner blog through June, 2013. Doug received the proverbial offer he couldn't refuse from SI.com in 2013, and that was that. Doug has also written for the Seattle Times, the Washington Post, the New York Sun, FOX Sports, ESPN.com, and ESPN The Magazine. He also makes regular appearances on several local and national radio shows, and has hosted several podcasts over the years. He counts Dan Jenkins, Thomas Boswell, Frank Deford, Ralph Wiley, Peter King, and Bill Simmons as the writers who made him want to do this for a living. In his rare off-time, Doug can be found reading, hiking, working out, searching for new Hendrix, Who, and MC5 bootlegs, and wondering if the Mariners will ever be good again.