Broncos Beat: Don't tell C.J. Anderson he can't get 300 carries

Jul 28, 2016

After signing an $18 million, four-year contract with Denver, can C.J. Anderson really be counted on to tote the rock 20 times a game? Over the course of an NFL season that would require him to stay healthy to get more than 300 carries?

Since he first broke the huddle with the Cal Bears five years ago, how many times has Anderson rushed 300 times in a season? The answer would be zero. Let’s count them up: He earned 72 carries for the Bears in 2011; 126 carries during his final year in college; seven carries as an NFL rookie in 2013; 179 carries in 2014 and 152 carries during Denver’s championship season.

“It’s only possible if you can get one at a time. I’ll worry about carry No. 1. I can’t worry about 300, if I’m not taking carry one,” replied Anderson.

Fantasy Impact:

The author took Anderson's reply as Anderson knows he must walk softly, without any give-me-the-darn-ball ultimatums, until he wins the trust of coaches and teammates as a true No. 1 back in the NFL. During the past five years, Anderson has rushed the football an average of 107 times. We're not predicting Anderson for close to 300 carries, in fact, it's closer to 200 and less than 1,000 yards.

Apr 17

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

Tom Pelissero

Apr 17 · 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.