While most of the sports world is in limbo, the NFL free agency period is in full swing. We’ll be giving you daily updates all week covering the moves and their fantasy implications. Check out our podcasts recapping free agency so far.
Rams release Todd Gurley
Day four of the new NFL league year was rather quiet, and so the big news was the Rams releasing running back Todd Gurley. This is not the least bit shocking, as the idea of LA wanting to move on first came about at the trade deadline. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that cutting Gurley today allows the Rams to avoid having to pay him $10.5M due today. The knee arthritis has been a red flag, and so the writing was on the wall for this split. Gurley will be 26 come Week 1 and will surely find a new team soon.
The obvious landing spot would be Tampa Bay. Already a potent offense now adding Tom Brady to the fold, the Bucs could still use an improvement to their running game. Ronald Jones II is the best of the bunch alongside Dare Ogunbowale, but adding Gurley if he can remain healthy is a big boost. Another team to consider are the Falcons, who earlier in the week released Devonta Freeman. Freeman had knee issues of his own, but the Georgia ties may be a plus for Gurley.
Surely the Rams will look to add to their backfield, as Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson Jr. did not really hold their own [from a fantasy standpoint] when Gurley missed time. Time will tell if they will dip into free agency or the draft.
Bills show interest in Melvin Gordon?
Here’s a head-scratcher. Matt Parrino of NYUpstate.com reports the Bills have interest in running back Melvin Gordon, and the feeling is apparently mutual. However, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo basically debunked that on Thursday. The thought surely would be intriguing, but this is Devin Singletary’s backfield. Hell, if Frank Gore is brought back, where are you possibly fitting Gordon?
Garafolo said he believes Gordon will have to end up taking a 1-year deal, and does not see Buffalo as the landing spot. He also spoke to the fact that Gordon hasn’t received “anything remotely close” to the offer he had from the Chargers last season; $10M a year.
Broncos move on from Joe Flacco
The Drew Lock era is underway. Today the Broncos waived Joe Flacco with a failed physical designation. It’s not surprising, as pre-injury Flacco played very poorly and is clearly not the long-term answer in Denver. If he’s healthy come Week 1, which is the expectation around the league, he could find himself landing on a team that needs a veteran quarterback in their room.
With Lock under center, I wouldn’t run to him as a viable fantasy starter come Week 1. He could play himself into streaming candidacy because of the likes of wide receiver Courtland Sutton, running back Phillip Lindsay & emerging tight end Noah Fant.
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)