Devonta Freeman odds: Eagles favored landing spot over Seahawks and Jets
Free-agent running back Devonta Freeman could be close to finding a home.
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It wasn't too long ago that the Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman was one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL, a two-time Pro Bowler who earned a big contract, but when tailbacks start trending downward in the league they really seem to fall off a cliff. There's a reason the career lifespan of a tailback is among the shortest of any position. The Falcons cut Freeman in March with three years and $21 million remaining on his contract and have replaced him with Todd Gurley.
Still, Freeman, 28, could be a good No. 2 on a needy team despite missing 16 games over the past two seasons due to knee and foot injuries. Last year, he had 656 yards rushing (albeit career-low 3.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns along with 59 receptions for 410 yards and four scores. The former FSU star is a very good receiver out of the backfield.
The vast majority of NFL teams appear set at tailback, but the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets are looking into signing Freeman per a report from the NFL Network's Michael Silver. He adds that the Seahawks already made an offer of a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, yet Freeman has rejected that.
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Seattle has a No. 1 running back in Chris Carson, but 1A Rashaad Penny is coming off a torn ACL and likely to start the 2020 season on the PUP list. The Seahawks also have Travis Homer and fourth-round rookie DeeJay Dallas in the backfield. Carlos Hyde could be a possible addition. Seattle might pass on offering more money to Freeman to save cash in order to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney.
Philadelphia has second-year Miles Sanders as its No. 1. The former Penn State star began his career slowly in averaging 8.3 carries per game over the first eight of 2019, but then became the clear-cut featured back. Sanders rushed for 818 yards (4.6 ypc) and three scores while catching 50 passes for 509 yards and three TDs overall. His 1,327 scrimmage yards set a franchise rookie record.
Philly only has Boston Scott behind Sanders with Jordan Howard leaving for Miami and Darren Sproles retiring – Freeman could fill Sproles' role. The Eagles have plenty of cap space to sign Freeman, but NFL insider Adam Caplan reported via Tweet that the team isn't "looking to spend much more than the minimum on a veteran RB (Carlos Hyde or Freeman.)" That could be posturing by the Eagles, though.
The Jets don't appear to make much sense. They have Le'Veon Bell as the (pardon the pun) bell-cow, recently signed veteran Frank Gore, whom Adam Gase loves for some reason, and used a fourth-round pick in April on Florida tailback Lamical Perine.
Could the Tennessee Titans get involved? They released Dion Lewis this offseason and Freeman could slide into that role behind workhorse Derrick Henry. Tennessee did draft Appalachian State tailback Darrynton Evans in the third round this year.
Hyde may play a role in where Freeman lands, as could LeSean McCoy, who was released this offseason by the Chiefs.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will sign Devonta Freeman?
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