NFL free agency opens next week and the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins may look at running backs on the market, as names like Mark Ingram, CJ Spiller, Pierre Thomas, DeAngelo Williams, DeMarco Murray, Ben Tate, Darren McFadden, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Steven Jackson and Ryan Mathews as potential targets.
The Buffalo Bills pulled off a big deal for LeSean McCoy with the Eagles and while it can't be finalized until next week, it likely means that Spiller will not be back in Buffalo. The trade has other affects as well, as Pro Football Talk reports that the Eagles now are interested in Ingram and Spiller as potential options to replace McCoy. The Dallas Cowboys also could be in the mix for running backs, as they may lose Murray to free agency and may have to replace him.
The Dolphins were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last season and with Knowshon Moreno and Daniel Thomas hitting the market, they need some depth alongside Lamar Miller. The Arizona Cardinals have a hole at running back and while they have Andre Ellington coming back for another season, they were the 31st ranked team in rushing last year. The team reportedly is interested in Adrian Peterson, while the Colts also could be in the mix.
The Colts have Ahmad Bradshaw hitting the market and with Trent Richardson suspended, chances are they sign someone. Murray could be an option since the team had cap space, while Peterson has also been mentioned as a potential target. The Giants also could be active, as Rashad Jennings dealt with injuries last season and they may want some more depth behind Andre Williams.
Spiller is hitting the free agent market after missing time with an injury last season for the Bills. Spiller likely is not returning to Buffalo, as the team just traded for LeSean McCoy from the Eagles. According to Josina Anderson on Twitter, the Cardinals, Dolphins, Jets and San Francisco 49ers are interested in signing Spiller.
Spiller reportedly turned down a $4.5 million per year offer from the Bills and that means he could be asking for more on the market. Spiller has had a solid career, but over the past two seasons his numbers have been disappointing compared to 23012, when he put up his best numbers with 1244 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Spiller played that season under Chan Gailey and now that he is with the Jets, the team could look at signing Spiller. Ingram reportedly is a target for the Eagles, according to Pro Football Talk, as they need a replacement for McCoy. Spiller also could be in the mix for the Eagles, while the Dolphins may target those names on the market.
Ingram comes in after having his best season with the Saints, playing in 13 games and rushing for a career best 964 yards and nine touchdowns. Ingram also put up career best numbers with 29 receptions and that could make him valuable on the market. Fellow Saints RB Pierre Thomas was released and he could be a target for the Eagles or Dolphins as well. Thomas comes in after rushing for 222 yards and making 45 catches for 378 yards last season and playing in 11 games.