Gordon still the starter?

Benjamin Allbright of KOA Radio in Denver tweeted this week that "Melvin Gordon is CLEARLY RB1 for this team so far." That likely comes from the usage of Gordon vs. Javonte Williams over the 1st few days of training camp. It's early, of course, when many coaching staffs defer to veterans. It's noteworthy, though, that Gordon didn't appear to lose standing for the OTAs he skipped. We'll certainly be watching the usage in this backfield through the rest of camp and preseason. We're not currently excited about drafting any Denver RB in fantasy football.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon missed practice on Wednesday with a foot injury. There's been no indication of something severe, but HC Nathaniel Hackett said the veteran is currently being evaluated. In the meantime, the Broncos added 2 RBs (Stevie Scott and JaQuan Hardy) to the roster. We’ll let you know when more info comes out on Gordon’s status.

Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan in Denver had this to say Wednesday after observing early Broncos practices: "I don't think this is a running back competition between [Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams]. I think Gordon is the clear backup, and I believe he's competing with Boone for the No. 2 job." Lammey pointed out that Gordon was working in behind Williams, Boone and Damarea Crockett in drills on the 1st day of camp. It's still early for Gordon, who didn't re-sign until April, returning to find a new coaching staff. It's also unlikely that Gordon would return without at least a shot to fight Williams for touches. This will be 1 of the most interesting situations in all of fantasy football this summer. If Williams does operate as a clear lead back, there's upside from his Round 2 ADP. If Gordon commands anything close to last year's work share, though, he'll prove to be a tremendous value. And if Boone surprises ... then there will be plenty of angry fantasy players. We'll keep tracking this backfield closely.

The Broncos have agreed to a 1-year deal with RB Melvin Gordon worth up to $5 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That's obviously well short of what Denver paid Gordon the past 2 years, and the Broncos now sport a new coaching staff. But his return lowers the fantasy ceiling for 2nd-year RB Javonte Williams. We'll continue betting on the 22-year-old to lead Denver's backfield in fantasy points, but the decision by both the team and Gordon to make the agreement now clearly indicates a continued significant role for the veteran. We'll see how far Gordon's return pushes down the ADP for Williams, who has been occupying late Round 1 territory in early best-ball drafts. Gordon has slipped well into the double-digit rounds and could very well remain in that range over at least the next few days, while drafters figure out where he belongs. If he does, pounce.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that RB Melvin Gordon is "in discussions with the Ravens on a potential deal." Rapoport adds that Baltimore "still has a need at RB." That bit is interesting because it could either be Rapoport's quick-hand assessment of the situation (many of which can be lacking) -- or it could be a belief by the Ravens that he's been fed by a source. We're certainly not adjusting any fantasy outlooks until such a signing actually happens. But if Gordon does join the Ravens, it would obviously be bad news for J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. It would also seem to lower Gordon's ceiling vs. other potential landing spots -- though might be similar to Denver in that category. A Gordon signing could also signal a Baltimore plan to lean further back to the run than we might have expected, following a significant shift toward the pass with their 2021 offense.

It looks like RB Melvin Gordon will hit free agency, according Denver radio host and Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright. "There had been mutual interest in RB Melvin Gordon and possible Broncos return, but looks like that's not gonna happen," he tweeted Monday. Should a Gordon departure come to fruition in unrestricted free agency, the ceiling on 2nd-year RB Javonte Williams would rank right with the RBs currently going in Round 1 of fantasy football drafts. We'll see, of course, what else Denver chooses to do at the position this offseason. Mike Boone also remains on the depth chart after signing in free agency last spring.