Should I Add Melvin Gordon For Fantasy Football Week 14? Waiver Wire Outlook

Veteran running back Melvin Gordon has had an unusual 2022 season. The former first-round pick started the year with the Denver Broncos as Javonte Williams’ backup.

Unfortunately, the young star running back suffered a torn ACL in Week 4. Gordon was supposed to take over as the lead back for the rest of the season. Instead, the Broncos added several running backs over the next few weeks.

First, they signed Latavius Murray off the New Orleans Saints practice squad. A few weeks later, the Broncos signed Marlon Mack and traded for Chase Edmonds. More importantly, Denver released Gordon after their Week 11 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Should I Add Melvin Gordon For Fantasy Football Week 14?

Shortly after he got released, the veteran running back signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. While he was eligible to play last week in their matchup against Cincinnati Bengals, Gordon wasn’t part of the game-day roster.

Meanwhile, head coach Andy Reid told the media that Gordon could get elevated from the practice squad for the Week 14 matchup against the Broncos. However, he added that the team is pretty healthy at running back.

After Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon both played well last week, the Chiefs likely don’t have a reason to elevate Gordon to the active roster this week. Fantasy players have no reason to add the veteran running back to their roster unless something changes.

What Running Back Should I Add Off The Wavier Wire?

Instead, fantasy players should add James Cook off the waiver wire. The Buffalo Bills running back is available in over 50% of ESPN leagues.

The rookie has started to earn more of a role lately. Last week, Cook had 20 touches for 110 scrimmage yards in the win over the New England Patriots. His 110 scrimmage yards led the team.

More importantly, last week was the second time the rookie earned double-digit rushing attempts over the past three weeks. By comparison, Cook had only one such performance over the first nine games this season.

Furthermore, the rookie has a solid matchup this week against the New York Jets. The AFC East division rival has surrendered 101.3 rushing yards and 21.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to running backs over the past three weeks.

Fantasy players who need a bye-week starter at running back should add Cook, not Gordon, off the waiver wire.

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