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Fantasy Football: Where Will DeMarco Murray Sign?

By Bruce Matson

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Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

We review where DeMarco Murray may sign and take a look at all the NFC teams RB situations.

Free agency will be here in a few weeks and soon after that will be the NFL Draft. There will always be a lot of transitions in the league at the running back position. I will go through every team in the NFC and analyze their running back situation to display the teams’ potential of acquiring a running back prospect this offseason.

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Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray is a free agent this offseason, and he is very unlikely to be resigned by the Cowboys. Dallas has a limited amount of cap space, and they have to sign Dez Bryant to a long-term deal. Dallas is the juiciest spot for a rookie or free agent running back because they have the best offensive line in the league and they are dedicated to the run game.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia could be in the market for a running back this offseason. LeSean McCoy is 26 years old and Darren Sproles is 31 years old. Philadelphia could possibly bring in another running back to groom behind McCoy and Sproles to be a part of their running back committee in the future.

New York Giants

Rashad Jennings is very prone to injury, and his back up Andre Williams has issues catching the football. This could cause the Giants to bring in another running back this offseason; more than likely a late round pick or a cheaper free agent.

Washington Redskins

Roy Helu will be gone due to free agency and the Redskins will need a new running back to back up Alfred Morris. Morris isn’t a spring chicken himself at 26 years old, and he’s already experienced a steady workload during his career. Another running back that can split some of the work load with Morris could help the longevity of his career. I can’t see the Redskins signing a top shelf free agent, but I can see them drafting a running back in the later rounds of the draft.

Next: Let's Take A Look At The NFC West

Nov 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona is in need of a running back. Andre Ellington isn’t capable of handling a fulltime workload, and the rest of the roster is littered with sub par running backs. Arizona is going to be looking for an every down back, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t spend a 1st or 2nd round pick on a running back.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers just spent a 2nd round pick on Carlos Hyde during last year’s draft. Hyde looked very good when he played last season, so it is safe to say he is the candidate to be the starter next season. Frank Gore will be a free agent this year, and this may put them in the market to draft a late round running back or bring in a cheaper free agent to compete for a backup position.

Seattle Seahawks

Right now Marshawn Lynch is mulling retirement, but if he comes back, the Seahawks will not have a void at running back. If Lynch does leave, the tag team of Robert Turbin and Christine Michael will take over. Both running backs are very talented. Christine Michael was a 2nd round pick in 2013 and is one of the hottest back up running backs in fantasy. If Lynch leaves, I can see Seattle bringing in a late round pick or a cheap free agent for depth.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams drafted Tre Mason in the 3rd round of last year’s draft, and he was very successful as a rookie last season. The Rams have a lot of quality depth at running back with Benny Cunningham and Zac Stacy, so I don’t see the Rams having a huge need at the position. The Rams drafting or bringing in a back with any significance is highly unlikely.

Next: Let's Take It To The NFC North

Dec 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears

Matt Forte is a 29-year-old running back, and he is fighting father time right now. Last year the Bears drafted Ka’Deem Carey in the 4th round. He is a talented runner, but he may not be qualified to handle a full work load. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears spend a mid-round pick on another running back to prepare for life after Forte.

Detroit Lions

Detroit has three solid backs on the roster in Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, and Theo Riddick. Bush is a 29-year-old back, and is facing the twilight of his career. Even with the Lions having a stable of backs, I can see them bringing in another body to prep themselves for the future.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay has Eddie Lacy and he’s one of the best running backs in the league. They also have James Starks as his back-up who is a really good fit with the Packers. Starks knows the system and he’s very good at catching passes out of the backfield. I don’t see the Packers bringing in a significant draft pick or free agent at running back this year because they are set at the position.

Minnesota Vikings

This running back situation is a conundrum. The question is whether Adrian Peterson is going to come back. If he comes back, the Vikings won’t need to sign another running back because they will have one of the best backfields in the league. If he doesn’t comeback, then the Vikings will need to get another running back to help 2nd year running back Jerick McKinnon carry the workload. McKinnon is capable of carrying the load, but not at this point in his career. He is a raw talent and will need time to develop. I can see them trying to bring in a mid-level free agent to help McKinnon if Peterson is not back this season.

Next: And Now For The NFC South

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Cam Newton (1) against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons

Steven Jackson is on the down side of his career and has a good chance of being cut this year. Devonta Freeman is not capable of being a 3 down back, so he needs help splitting up the workload. Atlanta is a prime candidate to spend a 2nd-3rd round pick on a running back this year, and Atlanta is a juicy spot for the next running back that goes there due to having the pieces to be a high-powered offense.

Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart had a spectacular finish to the season and there is a chance that DeAngelo Williams will be cut this year. I can see Carolina bringing in a mid-level free agent to spell Stewart, or they may decide to draft a back to groom behind Stewart next year to take his spot in the future. Carolina could be a sneaky spot for a running back to go to and have fantasy success.

New Orleans Saints  

Mark Ingram is going to be a free agent and the Saints don’t have enough cap room to resign him. With Ingram gone, this will leave Khiry Robinson shouldering the load for the team, which I doubt they will let happen. They will more than likely draft a back, because that will be the cheapest option for the Saints to acquire talent to fill the void at running back. The back that ends up going to New Orleans should be highly considered on your fantasy team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have a lot of talent at running back. They have Doug Martin, who has been dismal the last few seasons, but was very effective during his rookie season. The Bucs also drafted Charles Sims, a pass catching back in the 3rd round last year. The Bucs have a lot of talent and I don’t see them making any splashes for the running back position unless they decide to move Doug Martin in the offseason.

For fantasy advice feel free to follow me on Twitter @bmatz08.

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