Phillip Lindsay rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos rushes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 19: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Broncos rushes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Empower Field At Mile High on December 19, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. San Francisco 49ers

After having the league’s No. 2 rush offense in 2019, the 49ers fell to 15th this year amid another year of running back unpredictability (or Shanahan-igans, as we fantasy football people like to call it). This offseason, Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon are as good as gone.

San Francisco will not necessarily be loaded with cap space this offseason, since if they move on from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo they’ll have to replace him. But they will be looking to fill out the running back depth chart alongside Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr., neither or which have been pictures of durability. A dip into free agency is possible, but not necessarily a big one.

Lindsay seems to be a nice fit for a Kyle Shanahan offense, with core run-game design that would allow his strengths (speed, vision, burst) to be put on full display.

https://twitter.com/connorten/status/1332706919157526528?s=20

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1323041869127962636?s=20

Even with the likelihood of a workload split, Lindsay’s potential in San Francisco is intriguing. He has not fumbled on 611 career touches, which seems sure to capture Shanahan’s attention as the 49ers dive into available running backs.