Pats Beat: RB Jonas Gray resembles Stevan Ridley's game

Oct 14, 2014

Patriots RB Jonas Gray, for the moment still a member of the practice squad, but is the likeliest candidate to fill Ridley’s spot on the roster, has never participated in an NFL game.

Out of the four backs, Gray most closely resembles Ridley as a power, north-south runner. He had a nice preseason effort against the Eagles, carrying 12 times for 98 yards. But that was Aug. 15, and this is the regular season.

Fantasy Impact:

The story also believes the Pats could get by with Shane Vereen and Brandon Bolden. In the preseason, many on the Patriots beat felt James White was a guy who could eventually replace Vereen next season, so he doesn't seem like a candidate to get the between-the-tackles carries. The Pats running game has often been a mystery week-to-week and it looks like it's going to stay that way.

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.