Montee Ball went from 2014 starter to 2015 roster casualty
Following roster cuts, there has been a lot of turmoil in NFL backfields. Below are some of the bigger names impacted by the moves that have taken place this weekend. While these are for the most part backups, these transactions will still have impact on other players and their roles with each respective team.
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Montee Ball cut by Broncos
This helps clear up the backfield a bit in Denver. If you’re a C.J. Anderson owner, you only have to worry about Ronnie Hillman taking carries from him. If you’re a Hillman owner, you aren’t competing to be the handcuff anymore. Anderson is the starter, and Hillman is the backup. Disappointing end to Ball’s time in Denver. Ball may end up somewhere that lacks RB depth like Oakland or with a familiar face in head coach John Fox and Chicago.
Jonas Gray cut by Patriots
With LeGarrette Blount suspended Week 1, many thought Gray would at least be the one to answer the call against Pittsburgh. Somewhere between his four-touchdown game against the Colts and yesterday, Gray lost the trust of the coaching staff. It’s a surprising move given the lack of clarity in the Patriots’ backfield heading into the opener, but there’s one less name in the mix in the Brandon Bolden/Travaris Cadet/James White/Dion Lewis/Blount roulette. Only Blount is truly worth having on a roster at this point. Gray may end up getting re-signed to the practice squad or in enemy territory with Rex Ryan and Buffalo.
Dan Herron waived/injured by Colts
I liked Herron at the end of last season and found him on a lot of my DFS teams heading into the end of the season and playoffs, but it looks like injuries will take him out of the equation in the Colts’ backfield in 2015. With Gore as the lead back, Herron should have been the new pass catching option for Andrew Luck after Ahmad Bradshaw did not return, but it looks like “Boom” Herron will go the way of Trent Richardson, off of NFL rosters for the time being. Vick Ballard and Josh Robinson will be the backups in Indianapolis.
Christine Michael traded to Cowboys
Michael’s tenure in Seattle ends as Fred Jackson signs with the Seahawks, but this may end up being a good move for the Texas A&M product who goes to a team with no real clarity in their backfield in their efforts to replace DeMarco Murray. Michael joins Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, and Darren McFadden for Jerry Jones’ squad as they look for someone to run behind that All-Pro offensive line. Randle is slated as the starter, but performance will dictate playing time.
David Cobb placed on IR, Terrance West traded to Titans
West fell out of favor in Cleveland with the emergence of Isaiah Crowell. This was cemented when they drafted Duke Johnson. Bishop Sankey has never taken grasp of the starting job for the Titans. This could be a move that benefits everyone involved. Crowell will be the starter in Cleveland while Johnson recovers, and West will be nipping at Sankey’s heels as he looks to take over the starting role. This would have been David Cobb, but he was relegated to short-term injured reserve Sunday.
Fred Jackson signs with Seahawks
No one ever truly challenged Marshawn Lynch for carries, and this is most likely a move to provide some insurance with a player that has documented success. Lynch is still the lead guy here, but Jackson will provide some relief, keeping Lynch fresh as the season wears on. Yes, it is weird to think a 34-year-old backup will be spelling the soon to be 30-year-old starter, but it’s Jackson, who has been nothing short of bionic in his NFL career.
C.J. Spiller will miss at least the first two weeks
Spiller was slated to be the change-of-pace back for the Saints this year, a role that has been played so well by the likes of Reggie Bush, Darren Sproles, and Pierre Thomas. Now after arthroscopic knee surgery, Spiller’s health once again gets in the way of his ability to be a game changer. This bodes well for Mark Ingram who has been impressive during the preseason and camp in all-down scenarios. If Ingram does not answer the call as the third-down option, look for Khiry Robinson to have a bigger role, although he has only caught eight passes in two NFL seasons. The answer may not be on the roster right now.
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Michael Vincent is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Michael, check out his archive and follow him @MVtweetshere.
