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Latavius Murray

After reaching 1,000 yards and 6 TD’s in 2015, Latavius Murray doubled his TD total, but posted only a dismal 788 rushing yards last year. Will this be the year he puts the two together and establishes himself as a top 10 RB?

Murray is a big back with a nose for the end zone who can not only catch, but be used as a blocking back. During his pro-day in 2013, he was clocked at a 4.38 in the 40. To put that into perspective, that’s faster than the combine results for speedsters Sproles (4.46), Elliot (4.47), Prosise (4.48), David Johnson (4.50), Bernard (4.53), & Freeman (4.58).

More important than speed is holding onto the football. Amongst RB’s with at least 450 touches over the past two seasons, Murray is tied for the least fumbles lost (Murray, Blount & Lamar Miller each with 2). With these attributes, it won’t be hard for this free agent to find work.

Murray was recently seen working out with Carson Wentz. Signing a RB that their franchise QB has built rapport with and the team trusts protecting him makes sense. Ryan Mathews, despite scoring 9 TD’s, had his season marred with ball security issues. Mathews’ injury riddled season ended with neck surgery. The Eagles would surely get more durability, dependability and production from Murray.

Other intriguing landing spots include two of the top 4 scoring offenses, Green Bay and New England. Both teams have RBs testing the waters of free agency. Eddie Lacy scored 24TD’s over his first two seasons before nearly eating himself out of a job. He seemed to be back on track last year, on pace for 1,152 yards after an injury ended his season just 5 games in. Murray would be a double digit TD candidate in GB’s offense.

Blount turned 30 and is coming off a season of over 300 touches including playoffs. Even if this doesn’t deter New England from attempting to resign him, Blount has 2 Super Bowl rings and may look to get paid. As much a fantasy owner dread playing the Bill Belichick running back carousel game, if Murray becomes a Patriot, it’s hard to argue against rolling the dice on a team whose RB put up 18 TD’s last year.

PFF ranks Oakland as having the 4th best offensive line. Even if Murray re-signs with Oakland, he should still be a solid RB 2 with high end RB2-low end RB1 potential, however landing in the right spot could launch him into the top 10 discussion

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Early breakout players

(Wrote this back in February 2017) James White’s Super Bowl winning touchdown run in overtime might have indicated the end of the NFL season, but it also signified the start of the next season. With free agency and the draft on the horizon, rosters will change and player rankings will be adjusted, but it’s never too early to start delving into candidates for a breakout season.