Beat: Broncos want Montee Ball to start at RB

Mar 05, 2014

The Broncos believe it's time to take the training wheels off their kid running backs, Montee Ball and C.J. Anderson.

A first-round draft pick in 2009, Knowshon Moreno is a free agent, and the Broncos appear willing to let him go in exchange for pushing second-year backs Ball and Anderson up a notch.

The Broncos want to give Ball the first chance at becoming their No. 1 running back in 2014.

Fantasy Impact:

If Ball does indeed take over the starting job in Denver, his stock is going to shoot into the 2nd or 3rd round by the time draft season is in full swing. Moreno was a top 5 back in 2013, and there's no reason that Ball can't post similar numbers. The RB depth chart was fluid early in the season, and Ball has had a tendency to put the ball on the ground since entering the NFL (though he cleaned that up down the stretch).

yesterday

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.