Mike Gillislee flopped with the Patriots last year and was released in roster cutdowns yesterday. But it wasn't all bad, and it's possible he won't be on the street for long. Ian Rapoport says Gillislee will try out for the Saints today, so outside chance he'll end up in a prime spot for some early-season fantasy value.
With Mark Ingram suspended the first four games, New Orleans took a look at Terrance West and Jonathan Williams (another ex-Bill) for its complement to Alvin Kamara the first four games. But both of those players were cut, making it seem like sixth-round rookie Boston Scott would fill that role. And that's still possible. But so is Gillislee.
Last year, although Gillislee didn't work out for the Patriots, there was some good. Among the 48 backs with at least 100 attempts, only six were stuffed (zero or negative yardage) on a lower percentage of their runs than Gillislee was. And the Saints had two of those backs in Kamara and Ingram. So maybe the Saints hacked into our files and identified an available back who could fill that role while Ingram is sidelined. (And note that Orleans Darkwa is also curiously unemployed.)
| RUNNING BACK STUFFS, 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Stuff | Pct |
| Jamaal Williams, G.B. | 153 | 6 | 3.9% |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 230 | 12 | 5.2% |
| Chris Ivory, Jac. | 112 | 6 | 5.4% |
| Peyton Barber, T.B. | 108 | 6 | 5.6% |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 120 | 8 | 6.7% |
| Orleans Darkwa, NYG | 171 | 12 | 7.0% |
| Mike Gillislee, N.E. | 104 | 8 | 7.7% |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 196 | 15 | 7.7% |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 242 | 19 | 7.9% |
| Wayne Gallman, NYG | 111 | 9 | 8.1% |
| Kerwynn Williams, Ariz. | 120 | 10 | 8.3% |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 321 | 27 | 8.4% |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 245 | 21 | 8.6% |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 103 | 9 | 8.7% |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 272 | 24 | 8.8% |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 184 | 17 | 9.2% |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 238 | 22 | 9.2% |
| Matt Breida, S.F. | 105 | 10 | 9.5% |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 206 | 20 | 9.7% |
| Samaje Perine, Wash. | 175 | 17 | 9.7% |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 261 | 26 | 10.0% |
| Marshawn Lynch, Oak. | 207 | 21 | 10.1% |
| Alfred Morris, Dall. | 115 | 12 | 10.4% |
| Giovani Bernard, Cin. | 105 | 11 | 10.5% |
| Dion Lewis, N.E. | 180 | 19 | 10.6% |
| Latavius Murray, Minn. | 216 | 24 | 11.1% |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 198 | 22 | 11.1% |
| Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 117 | 13 | 11.1% |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 279 | 33 | 11.8% |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 268 | 32 | 11.9% |
| Javorius Allen, Balt. | 153 | 19 | 12.4% |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 284 | 37 | 13.0% |
| LeGarrette Blount, Phil. | 173 | 23 | 13.3% |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 156 | 21 | 13.5% |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 178 | 24 | 13.5% |
| Alex Collins, Balt. | 212 | 29 | 13.7% |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 240 | 33 | 13.8% |
| Doug Martin, T.B. | 138 | 20 | 14.5% |
| Adrian Peterson, N.O.-Ariz. | 156 | 23 | 14.7% |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 176 | 26 | 14.8% |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 150 | 23 | 15.3% |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 178 | 28 | 15.7% |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 133 | 21 | 15.8% |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 276 | 44 | 15.9% |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia.-Phil. | 208 | 36 | 17.3% |
| Ameer Abdullah, Det. | 165 | 30 | 18.2% |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 287 | 55 | 19.2% |
If Gillislee doesn't sign with New Orleans, maybe somebody else will have an interest. Like the Bills, who have to be worried about the possibility of a LeSean McCoy suspension. We'll see.
--Andy Richardson