The draft is over, but I think there’s some additional notable moves that will be made before training camp opens. Maybe even before the OTAs kick in.
Particularly at running back. The Bears, Cowboys and Saints to me look like teams that will be adding something significant to their backfields.
Chicago for sure. It currently has D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson coming back, and they used a seventh-round pick on Kyle Monangai. Monangai was a fun college player, but he does not have the minimum system requirements to be more than a backup at the pro level. And Swift isn’t durable enough or consistent enough. Ben Johnson had Swift in Detroit, recall, and they shipped him out for a Starbucks card.
The Cowboys also look like shoppers. So far they’ve added two low-cost free agents – Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. And they used a mid-round pick on Jaydon Blue, who could contribute some (particularly as a pass catcher). But they also need a guy.
And I will put the Saints on the list of runner-needy teams. Alvin Kamara will be 30 on opening day, and they don’t have much behind him. They’ve got Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire coming back, and they picked up Devin Neal in the sixth round. Neal looks a lot like Monangai – a cool college back who doesn’t have the tools to be more than a backup at the next level.
For teams looking to add to their backfields, one option is free agency. Both Nick Chubb and J.K. Dobbins are out there, waiting to be signed.
But for teams looking to level up, the more enticing route could be to trade with a team that has a surplus. On that front, Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker are the two players that look the most interesting. And maybe Travis Etienne. All are entering the final years of their rookie contracts, and all play for teams with other options at the position.
The Jets have Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, so they’d probably love to pick up a pick for Hall. He’s a great back, but they’re unlikely to re-sign him next year.
Similarly with Seattle, it has Zach Charbonnet, along with some younger backs, giving it the flexibility to flip Walker for a pick.
The Jaguars might be willing to move Etienne if they think they can get by with fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten and Tank Bigsby. But Etienne might not generate the same kind of interest as Hall and Walker.
| EXPIRING ROOKIE CONTRACTS | |
|---|---|
| Player | Team |
| Tyler Allgeier | Atl. |
| James Cook | Buff. |
| Jerome Ford | Cle. |
| Dameon Pierce | Hou. |
| Travis Etienne | Jac. |
| Isiah Pacheco | K.C. |
| Kyren Williams | LAR |
| Ty Chandler | Min. |
| • Breece Hall | NYJ |
| Jaylen Warren | Pitt. |
| • Kenneth Walker | Sea. |
| Rachaad White | T.B. |
| Brian Robinson | Was. |
—Ian Allan