The Titans are expected to cut DeMarco Murray in the next month, a reminder of how quick things change in the NFL. Murray led the NFL in rushing as recently as 2014, and was 3rd in 2016. But he struggled through an injury-marred 2017, finishing as one of league's least effective ballcarriers.
There were 35 different running backs who rushed for at least 500 yards in 2017. Only four had a lower yards-per-carry average than Murray (3.4). Derrick Henry, running behind the same offensive line, was nearly a yard per carry better (4.2). He'll be their main back next seasons.
Not that it's necessarily all over for Murray. He'll turn 30 years old tomorrow, which is old for a running back, but not ancient. Somebody will sign him and give him a shot to compete for the lead back job. But probably a guy whose best days have come and gone.
| YARDS PER CARRY, 2017 (500-PLUS YARDS) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | Avg | TD |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 120 | 728 | 6.1 | 8 |
| Dion Lewis, N.E. | 180 | 896 | 5.0 | 6 |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 272 | 1,327 | 4.9 | 8 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 230 | 1,124 | 4.9 | 12 |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 133 | 644 | 4.8 | 3 |
| Alfred Morris, Dall. | 115 | 547 | 4.8 | 1 |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 279 | 1,305 | 4.7 | 13 |
| Alex Collins, Balt. | 212 | 973 | 4.6 | 6 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 196 | 865 | 4.4 | 7 |
| LeGarrette Blount, Phil. | 173 | 766 | 4.4 | 2 |
| Orleans Darkwa, NYG | 171 | 751 | 4.4 | 5 |
| Marshawn Lynch. Oak. | 207 | 891 | 4.3 | 7 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 178 | 772 | 4.3 | 5 |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 176 | 744 | 4.2 | 5 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 276 | 1,122 | 4.1 | 9 |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 245 | 1,007 | 4.1 | 3 |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 242 | 983 | 4.1 | 7 |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 206 | 853 | 4.1 | 2 |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 321 | 1,291 | 4.0 | 9 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 287 | 1,138 | 4.0 | 6 |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 156 | 628 | 4.0 | 5 |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 284 | 1,105 | 3.9 | 8 |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 268 | 1,040 | 3.9 | 9 |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 240 | 938 | 3.9 | 8 |
| Latavius Murray, Minn. | 216 | 842 | 3.9 | 8 |
| Javorius Allen, Balt. | 153 | 591 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 150 | 570 | 3.8 | 3 |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 261 | 961 | 3.7 | 3 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 238 | 888 | 3.7 | 3 |
| Jamaal Williams, G.B. | 153 | 556 | 3.6 | 4 |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 184 | 659 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 178 | 626 | 3.5 | 4 |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 198 | 680 | 3.4 | 6 |
| Samaje Perine, Wash. | 175 | 603 | 3.4 | 1 |
| Ameer Abdullah, Det. | 165 | 552 | 3.3 | 4 |
There are a couple of other interesting names at the bottom of the table. Jonathan Stewart and Frank Gore, veterans who have had nice careers but don't bring an awful lot to the table right now. And also three rookies who are in the mix to start for their teams next year, Jamaal Williams, Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Far from certain that any of those three are the answers for their respective teams next season.
--Andy Richardson