San Diego Chargers Daily Links: May 1, 2015

San Diego Chargers select Melvin Gordon - Doug Farrar
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.

Melvin Gordon: Gurley not only 'special' RB - Michael Gehlken (UT$)
"I'm just as good as Todd. That's my mindset," Gordon said. "I'm as good as any other running back in here, if not better. I don't like to talk highly of myself, but I don't want teams to start thinking I'm not good enough because I am."

Devalued? Chargers trade up to take running back Melvin Gordon - Frank Schwab
The Chargers have a lot more certainty at running back now. Ryan Mathews signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but even though he is very talented he couldn't stay healthy. Branden Oliver played well last season when Mathews was hurt, but he doesn't have the pedigree of Gordon, a Heisman Trophy finalist.

How does Melvin Gordon fit as a Charger? - Kyle Posey
I jotted down numerous times "stops feet in backfield", "stops feet on contact" and sometimes this was happening several carries in a row. The idea that someone left yards on the field when he had the production that he did probably sounds crazy, but that was the case with Gordon. It's a very bad habit that he'll have to fix at the next level if he wants to be an every down back. This mainly happened on runs between the tackles.

San Diego Chargers trade up for RB Melvin Gordon - Marc Sessler
"Stronger than people think," NFL Media's Mike Mayock said of Gordon, citing shades of LeSean McCoy and calling the newest Charger a weapon who immediately changes the complexion of San Diego's offense.

2015 Draft Reaction Blog, Day 1 - PFF Analysis Team
To jump up two picks the Chargers have surrendered their first round pick, a fourth round pick this year and a fifth next year. Why? Because they want a back who has the vision and ability to power through a cut that few have. It doesn’t bode overly well for the future of Donald Brown and Branden Oliver because it’s hard to imagine Gordon not getting the bulk of the carries. He led the nation in yardage, yards after contact and tackles he forced to be missed. Key categories when looking at a running back. The Chargers will still need their other backs because he’s far from the finished article in pass protection as his negative grade in this area suggests but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of those not make it to the final 53 man roster.

Total breakdown: Chargers draft RB Melvin Gordon in first round - Eric Williams
The former Wisconsin star is a perfect fit for San Diego’s offense and will provide some balance to the Philip Rivers-led offense by serving as the Chargers’ workhorse runner in place of the departed Ryan Mathews.

Chargers don’t run from chance of drafting Gordon - Jay Paris
While the running game was a shortcoming, it wasn’t the only area where the Chargers need help. Other upgrades would have been welcomed at offensive line, pass-rusher, wide receiver and safety, but Gordon was too tempting, even if some say he was too expensive.