With free agency just beginning I’ll be highlighting some
of the biggest names available at each skill position. I’ll
match each player with a team that I think would be a best-case
scenario for his fantasy value in 2019. Up next are the Running
Backs.
The Colts appear to be out of the Le'Veon
Bell sweepstakes leaving the Jets as a prime landing spot.
Bell is a talented, patient back who turned down $20.5 million
from the Steelers to test the open market, He didn’t play
a down in 2018 after drawing the franchise tag and refusing to
play in Pittsburgh, and he’s finally an unrestricted free
agent because the Steelers didn’t throw a transition tag
on him out of spite. With 7,996 total yards from scrimmage in
62 games over five seasons, he’s one of the most prolific
backs we’ve seen, and he’s just 29 years old. A game-breaking
type of player who can handle an enormous workload, some consider
him the best pass-catching back of the past decade, and there
will be several teams interested in acquiring his services for
2019.
Best fit: Jets
The most obvious landing spot for Bell would be with the Jets
– for multiple reasons. First, they’ve been mentioned
in the same breath as Bell for the better part of a year and are
in the market to add a high-priced free agent with their glut
of about $100 million in total cap space. Sam Darnold is their
QB, and there’s no doubt they need a dynamic pass catcher
to give him a viable outlet and allow him to take some of the
pressure off the pocket. Bell may opt to string a few teams along
and get a bidding war going, or even look to reunite with Antonio Brown on the Raiders, but in the end, he probably goes to the
Jets.
A former Heisman Trophy winner who’s established himself as a
viable committee and fantasy back, Ingram will probably never
be the NFL bell cow that folks imagined during his time at Alabama.
The Saints have made it a priority to resign Ingram, but they’re
not alone in trying to sign the 29-year-old veteran back. Both
the Chicago Bears and fellow NFC rival Green Bay Packers have
emerged in pursuing him, according to reports from NFL source
Ian Rapoport. Ingram’s reduced workload the past few seasons make
him a viable free agent target with much less wear and tear than
other backs his age. He finished 2018 with 645 rushing yards and
six TDs after missing the first four games of the season following
a PED suspension.
Best fit: Saints
If Chicago can move Jordan
Howard before next season, they could land Ingram to assume
that role and continue to utilize Tarik
Cohen in the passing game. And it’s no sure thing the Packers
make a big splash and move on from Jamaal
Williams/Aaron
Jones duo.
In the end, though – Ingram will probably sign with the Saints,
where he makes a lot of sense as a complement to Alvin
Kamara. Even Kamara has expressed the desire and belief that
Ingram would land back in New Orleans in 2019.
Jay Ajayi hits the free agent market following back troubles
and a season-ending knee injury (torn ACL), which could be a factor
in when and where he signs a new contract. Before the injury he’d
racked up 184 rushing yards and three TDs on 45 carries and was
showing plenty of life in his legs as he earned a larger workload
than in the previous season following the trade from Miami. There
are a few potential landing spots, and they could be impacted
by where Bell, Ingram and a few other big-name backs land.
Best fit: Buccaneers
It unlikely he returns to the Eagles, who seem to be making plans
without him and looking to add a committee-leader type of back
at the position. The Bucs, on the other hand, are desperate for
a productive back capable of handling all the roles required,
and Ajayi won’t be a costly piece in a market that has a
few golden geese.
Coleman is just 26 years old and has the benefit of splitting
carries with Devonta Freeman for most of his time with Atlanta.
He was passable in a 1A role last year but gained just 800 rushing
yards and scored only four times on the ground. He could fit much
better into an offense where he’s the primary ball carrier
and has some help in committee form. Coleman has decent size (6-1,
205) and hasn’t racked up huge numbers in his career just
yet. He’s slated for about a $5 million a year payday, with
the length of the deal (4-6 years?) being the only possible sticking
point.
Best fit: Eagles
We talked about how the Eagles wanted to add a 1A back and complement
hm with other pieces, and that’s just what could happen.
They’ve already worked up a playbook that focuses on the
committee approach and Coleman could be the deal fit with in that
offensive scenario. They’ve expressed some concerns they’ll
get priced out of the market, and that mans he could land in a
place like Miami or back with the Falcons.
Powell is an overachieving grinder who fits in just about any
offensive set – a versatile back comfortable in pass blocking
and as both a receiver and runner. His future in New York seems
bleak, however, coming off a season-ending neck injury (bulging
disk). It’s a long recovery for the injury and may threaten
his NFL career, but if his rehab goes well he could draw some
interest from teams looking for a veteran backfield presence.
Best fit: Dolphins
The eight-year NFL veteran still has plenty of life in his legs
(he played just seven games last season and tallied 343 rushing
yards and 453 yards from scrimmage). The Dolphins have some young
backs who could benefit from a veteran with a proven work ethic
and skill set that could filter through. Powell could be an excellent
piece alongside Kalen Ballage and Kenyan Drake, who is in a contract
year in 2019.
