Todd Gurley joins the long list of running backs in 2020NFL free agency after the Rams released him with a June 1 designation on Thursday.
There has been little signing activity at the position since Monday's start of the legal tampering period.After the Titans' Derrick Henry gotfranchise-tagged and the Cardinals' Kenyan Drake got transition-tagged, onlythree unrestricted backs have found new teams. One is Jordan Howard, who left the Eagles for the Dolphins. The other two are J.D. McKi sic (Redskins) and Taiwan Jones (Bills).
Before Gurley hit the market, the Chargers' Melvin Gordon was the clear top option. One of the others was the Falcons' Devonta Freeman, who, Brett Kern Jersey like Gurley, was released this week.
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Gurley and Freeman once held the unofficialtitle of NFL's highest-paid running back, a designation that now belongs Nate Davis Jersey to the Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott. Henry has a chanceto earn it with a new long-term deal this summer.
Yes, high-priced David Johnson did move from the Cardinals to the Texans, but that was in .
Most logical teams are correct to be hesitant to invest too much in veteran backs. Gurley is no different, especially given his heavy mileage (nearly 1,500 touches in five seasons) and recent history of knee trouble entering his age 26 season.
Gordon, drafted in the same 2015 first round as Gurleyfive spots earlier, has gotten little interest early. There are two teams that have a glaring need for a potentialworkhorse back with with good receiving skills. If they're fits for Gordon, then they would be fits for Gurley, too.
There is a thirdteam to watch, but it isn't the Falcons. The whole reason they cut Freeman was the fact they were salary cap-strapped. It doesn't make sense to bring in Gurley, even though he's a beloved Georgia Bulldog. Atlanta can instead think about making alocal connection with Logan Ryan Jersey the No. 16 pick in the draft, where another Dawg, D'Andre Swift, should be available.
Here's ranking thereal trio of best fits for Gurley:
1.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gurley and Tom Brady? Before the Rams cut him, Gurley with the GOAT QB. Peyton Barber is one of those other free-agent backs and coach Bruce Arians has run hot and cold on third-year back Ronald Jones.
The Bucs still have plenty of bucks under the cap to bring in Gurley. If healthy, he could have a huge impact as a power-running and outlet receivingto support Brady in what can remain an explosive pa sing offense. Gurley has more home-run ability than Gordon, and that can make him the preferred back in Tampa.
2.Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have thrown around money for some questionable offseason moves as they undergo a ma sive rebuild. Howard was signed, but he simply Marcus Mariota Jersey represents a pure power-back upgrade over Miami's post-Drake me s of Kalen Ballage, Myles Gaskin and Patrick Laird. Gurley wouldn't be worn down with Howard there to take key carries between the tackles, which will help torejuvenate him and keep him fresh for the pa sing game.
The obstacle here is that the Dolphins are sitting on three first-round picksand are positioned twice Delanie Walker Jersey late in the round to takeSwift, Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor or Ohio State's J.K. Dobbins to pair with Howard. Money isn't an i sue;they have the second-most cap space in the NFL, between the Browns and Buccaneers.
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3.Denver Broncos
Here's your wild card. The Broncos have been reluctant to extend PhillipLindsay despite twoproductive seasons as an undrafted free agent. There are lingering durability concerns about the5-9, 190-pounder, whoso far has battled only a wrist injury.
The Broncos had a 60-40 split of backfield touches last season with Lindsay and Royce Freeman, who's also entering his third year. They were 20th in rushing offense last season.
Gurley would be joining a committeewere he to step intothis situation, but Denver, with new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, wants to be more effective runningto take pre sure off second-year QB Drew Lock. Shurmur's rushing attackemploys a lot of outside zone runs, whereGurley is at his best. The Broncos also willmake use of spreading the field to open up holes for the backs.
The shift in scheme has the Broncos already considering a reshuffle of their backfield. Gurley would work well if they choose to go the veteranroute, Curley Culp Jersey with wide receiver being a bigger priority with their mid first-round pick.