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Allen, Gordon crack the top 20 in NFL’s fantasy football rankings

By Matt Pagels

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 10: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 (second from left) of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Spencer Pulley #73, Hunter Henry #86, and Keenan Allen #13 after scoring on a one yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Chargers won 30-16. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 10: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 (second from left) of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with Spencer Pulley #73, Hunter Henry #86, and Keenan Allen #13 after scoring on a one yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Chargers won 30-16. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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Chargers’ Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon rank among the best when it comes to fantasy football.

On NFL Media’s fantasy football Twitter account, they revealed their top 50 fantasy players for 2018.

Two Chargers made the list: Wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Melvin Gordon. Not only did they make it, but they landed in the top 20. Allen slotted in at No. 11 overall and Gordon No. 16 overall. Both are considered top options (WR1 and RB1) at their respective positions.

Allen and Gordon are the only two members of the Chargers to make the top 50. Tight end Hunter Henry likely would have had his name called, but he’s out for the season with a torn ACL. Philip Rivers didn’t make the cut, but the only quarterback to get ranked was Aaron Rodgers (No. 45). You can find serviceable QBs later in drafts, which is why that position doesn’t have that much value in fantasy football.

Allen was the fifth receiver chosen behind Steelers’ Antonio Brown (No. 3), Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins (No. 6), Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 8) and Saints’ Michael Thomas (No. 10). Meanwhile, Gordon was the seventh running back chosen behind Rams’ Todd Gurley (No. 1), Steelers’ LeVeon Bell (No. 2), Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4), Cardinals’ David Johnson (No. 5), Saints’ Alvin Kamara (No. 7), Giants’ Saquon Barkley (No. 9) and Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt (No. 12).

After a season where Allen put up the best numbers of his young career, including finishing third in the NFL in receiving yards (1,393), fourth in receptions (102) and catching six touchdowns, Allen flew up the board this year. He always had the talent, but he ranked lower in previous seasons because he of his inability to stay healthy. Last year marked the first time he played a full, 16-game season, which is a risk with picking Allen, but he’s one of the best receivers in the league and will continue to get a ton of targets (great for PPR leagues) in a high-powered offense led by a great QB in Philip Rivers. I’d argue that Allen belongs ahead of Thomas.

As for Gordon, we’re still waiting to see if he can be an “elite” back, but he’s still a very good player who gets a ton of touches and puts up solid numbers. Over the last two seasons, he’s rushed for a combined 2,102 yards, including recording his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2017. He’s also caught 99 passes for 895 yards in that span, proving to be more valuable than majority of backs in the league because of his three-down capability. He has a knack for finding the end zone, too, scoring 24 total touchdowns. It made sense for the Chargers to exercise his fifth-year option. NFL Media is a bit too high on Barkley, but I can’t argue with the rest of the running backs on this list being ahead of Gordon. With that said, I can see Gordon having his best season yet, especially with new additions (center Mike Pouncey and guard Forrest Lamp) up front.

Allen and Gordon led me to another fantasy title last year, and I’d absolutely take a chance on them all over again.

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