Devonta Freeman odds update: Eagles and Bucs still favored, but Panthers and Jaguars looming
Free-agent running back Devonta Freeman is likely to sign with a team very soon.
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With NFL teams set to report to training camps Tuesday, if former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl running back and current free agent Devonta Freeman is going to sign with a club it figures to happen by then. Freeman's new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said recently that he's on a "mission" to have his client on a team by late July. SportsLine NFL oddsmakers have given several updated NFL odds on Freeman's next team over the past few months, and this will be the final update.
It has been an interesting couple of months for Freeman. Earlier in July his then-agent Kristin Campbell terminated their relationship. Not too often an agent fires a player barring said player getting into major trouble off the field – i.e. Antonio Brown. Campbell was responsible for negotiating Freeman's five-year, $41.25 million extension with the Falcons in 2017 that briefly made Freeman the NFL's highest-paid back.
However, Campbell apparently was not happy that Freeman in May turned down a reported one-year, $4 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks – who moved on to Carlos Hyde – and said via social media in early June that the Tampa Bay Bucs could reach out "directly" to him if looking to negotiate a contract. Freeman also briefly said he would sit out the entire 2020 season if his price point was not met but recanted that.
In place of Campbell swooped in the very aggressive Rosenhaus, whom it should be noted terminated his relationship with the troubled Brown in January until Brown sought professional help, which the Pro Bowl receiver never did.
"We want to work out a deal in the immediate future, and we are open to any team," Rosenhaus said upon being hired by Freeman.
The Bucs and Eagles are both known to be looking for running back depth. Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians wants a pass-catching back and likes Freeman but said the Bucs couldn't afford his former price, while Philadelphia simply wants a more accomplished backup to young Miles Sanders than former sixth-round pick Boston Scott.
The Eagles might have an edge here in that Rosenhaus has a very good working relationship with GM Howie Roseman. Philly's two biggest non-draft additions this offseason were cornerback Darius Slay (via trade, and then he got a big extension) and nose tackle Javon Hargrave ($39 million free-agent deal), and both are Rosenhaus clients.
The Tennessee Titans might make sense because they just locked up star running back Derrick Henry -- he is +600 on the William Hill moneyline odds to lead the NFL in rushing a second straight year -- long term and might want to cut down his touches a bit to ensure he stays healthy now that he's on the books for a few years. Freeman, a two-time Pro Bowler, would surely be an upgrade on third-round rookie Darrynton Evans.
Jacksonville, Carolina and the New York Giants also have been rumored as suitors via media following those teams.
Freeman could be insurance on the Jags behind starter Leonard Fournette, in the last year of his contract and not exactly durable, and third-down back Chris Thompson. Freeman would also back up Saquon Barkley with the Giants and is a better player than the other two running backs on the roster in Dion Lewis (cut by the Titans this winter) and Wayne Gallman.
The Panthers have maybe the best all-around tailback in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey. He led the league with a whopping 403 touches last year, and both new head coach Matt Rhule and OC Joe Brady have mentioned lowering that a bit.
"That's a lot, obviously," Brady said earlier this year. "I can't sit here and tell you guys the number (of touches) is 400 (in 2020); the number is 350. Every single game will be different. A lot of it will come down to the rest of the personnel on our team."
Since 2010, only two other players had more touches in a single season than McCaffrey did last year. Carolina's No. 2 tailback currently would be Reggie Bonnafon, a second-year undrafted free agent who had all of 22 touches in 2019, or veteran journeyman Mike Davis. The Panthers should want to better protect McCaffrey, who got a $64 million extension this offseason.
Via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers: Which team will sign Devonta Freeman?
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