Chargers Fantasy Preview: Melvin Gordon is a flex option vs. Miami

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Hull #45 of the Miami Dolphins chases Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a game at StubHub Center on September 17, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Mike Hull #45 of the Miami Dolphins chases Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of a game at StubHub Center on September 17, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 22, 2019, in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

After two months away from the team, Melvin Gordon has returned. What’s his role in fantasy this week and what other Los Angeles Chargers can you start?

Philip Rivers and Keenan Allen were pretty much the bright spots in terms of fantasy last week vs. Houston. However, the Chargers may have more options this week going against the lowly Miami Dolphins, who have given opposing players fantasy points on a platter. The other main factor is the return of star running back Melvin Gordon, who decided to end his holdout Thursday. Let’s get into this Week 4 fantasy preview.

The receiving game

Travis Benjamin is doubtful for Sunday. Mike Williams is officially out. The Chargers may be giving some guys rest here, considering the Dolphins are actively tanking. Allen is getting the ball no matter what at this point and may even eclipse the fantasy numbers he put up last week at this rate. Wide receiver No. 2 is looking like it’ll be Dontrelle Inman at this point.

Does Geremy Davis get some snaps? Will Artavis Scott or Andre Patton receive call ups to the active roster for game day? It’s all up in the air right now, but the two fantasy options that seem most viable are Allen as a starter and Inman as a flex. Other than that, it’s probably best to stay away unless your receiver group is really, really injured.

The defense

Start, start, start. Don’t even try to overthink it. The Chargers have been a so-so defensive unit this year, but every defense that plays the Miami offense is the must start defense of the week. If somehow the defense is still available in your league, pick it up.  The Dolphins have scored 16 points in three games, 5.3 points per game. Miami is dead last in the league in turnover differential at -6 and is third to last in the league in sacks taken per game with 4.3.

Just start the defense.