NFL Player News

Chiefs GM Brett Veach said Monday that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the team re-signs McKinnon soon, Jordan Foote of Arrowhead Report reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network expects it to happen, and Veach himself mentioned the possibility less than two weeks ago. McKinnon turns 31 on Wednesday, and while he's lost much of the athleticism that made him a Workout Warrior and third-round pick back in 2014, the Chiefs seem to like what he offers on passing downs. He was the team's primary receiving back at times in 2021, then took over the role on a more permanent basis in 2022 en route to a 56-512-9 receiving line and 72-291-1 rushing line. It'll be a major surprise if he approaches double-digit TDs again, but McKinnon could have some fantasy value if he locks down a similar role, particularly in PPR leagues. Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire again appear to be the primary competition for backfield snaps, as the Chiefs didn't draft any running backs and haven't signed any veterans this offseason.

Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Harris is in line to work in a Buffalo backfield that also includes James Cook, Nyheim Hines and Latavius Murray, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Given that last season's top rusher Devin Singletary is now with the Texans, the Bills backfield is in transition, with both Getzenberg and Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic indicating that Cook, a 2022 second-rounder, is expected to have an opportunity to carve out a lead role in 2023. That said, as long as Harris remains healthy, he'll have a chance to absorb a decent share of early down and short-yardage touches, with Hines on hand as a change-of-pace option and Murray providing another early down option in the event that Cook or Harris misses any time. Additionally, the team gained further RB depth after the draft by signing UDFA Jordan Mims.

Buffalo signed Murray to a one-year contract Monday.

Murray provides quality veteran depth for the Bills after the team passed on adding a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. The 33-year-old averaged 4.4 YPC across 12 games with Denver last season, to the tune of 703 rushing yards and five touchdowns, with Javonte Williams (knee) having gone down early in the year. With Buffalo, he profiles as a depth option behind Damien Harris, James Cook and Nyheim Hines.

Herbert is expected to compete with D'Onta Foreman and 2023 fourth-round draft choice Roschon Johnson for backfield duties, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

Going into the preseason, Foreman may have the edge for leading the Bears on early downs due to his size and past NFL success. Herbert had been looking like the clear No. 2 until the team drafted Johnson. Scout John Syty spoke glowingly about Johnson's leadership, intangibles and value on special teams. Although Herbert still should be the favorite to start the season as the backup running back, Johnson may have an opportunity to push Herbert for snaps.

Foreman will face added competition in training camp after the Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports..

Foreman should go into training camp as the favorite to lead the backfield on early downs. Although Johnson also profiles as an early-down back, scout John Syty highlighted the rookie's leadership, intangibles and value on special teams. Based on those qualities, Johnson may be more likely to push Khalil Herbert for No. 2 running back duties than he is to push Foreman. Of course, the competition could be wide open during training camp.

Breida will have additional competition for carries behind Saquon Barkley this season in rookie Eric Gray, whom the Giants took in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Barkley was given the franchise tag in the offseason, though New York plans to continue contract talks with the star running back in hopes of coming to an agreement on a contract extension. If that doesn't come to fruition, Gray may immediately be viewed as Barkley's future replacement, which could prompt the team to get him a few more carries along the way during his rookie campaign. Breida figures to remain the primary backup to Barkley, though the latter was such a workhorse last season -- he tallied 295 carries (fourth-most in the league) and 76 targets (sixth-most among RBs) -- that no ball carrier behind him received substantial playing time. Breida posted modest production with 54 rushes for 220 yards and a touchdown along with 20 catches for 118 yards and no TDs. Barring an injury to Barkley, Breida likely will be in line for similar usage in 2023, though that could drop if Gray impresses the coaching staff enough to merit expanded opportunity.

Reynolds has been joined on the depth chart by rookie first-rounder Jahmyr Gibbs following the 2023 NFL Draft, Scott Thompson of Fox News reports.

Reynolds ended last season stuck behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams on the depth chart, but he now finds himself behind even bigger investments at running back in Gibbs and David Montgomery. While Reynolds at least has the inside track to the No. 3 role now that Justin Jackson is looking for a new opportunity, such a role only has fantasy value as a modest insurance policy in deep leagues.

Williams will be accompanied by 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller (knee) as the primary contenders for New Orleans' No. 2 running back spot, John Sigler of USA Today reports.

Williams arrived in New Orleans as one of the team's splashiest additions of the offseason, signing with the team after he tallied a career-best rushing season with the Lions in 2022. The 28-year-old's arrival was very significant for the Saints backfield, as the team lacked a consistent No. 2 running back behind Alvin Kamara for much of last season. Williams' path to a role as the team's secondary rusher is much murkier now that Miller has been added to the mix. The 215-pound rookie out of TCU was a key cog in the Horned Frogs' run to the College Football Playoff last season, accumulating 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns across 224 carries. Miller will be limited to begin the Saints' offseason program while he recovers from an MCL injury suffered in December. Nevertheless, he's still expected to be cleared for full participation prior to training camp, per Sigler, which could lead to an intriguing positional battle between Miller and Williams. Kamara is also still set to begin trial July 31 after he was charged with conspiracy to commit battery and substantial bodily harm stemming from a February 2022 incident. Should Kamara be forced to miss games in the 2023 campaign because of this case, then both Williams and Miller could vie for roles as the Saints' primary rushers.

Thompson is slated to sign with the Saints as an undrafted free agent Sunday.

Thompson finished with at least 500 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in each of his final four seasons at Texas Tech. During that stretch, he complied 38 touchdowns with double-digit touchdown campaigns in 2019 and 2021. Thompson joins Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller as new arrivals to a running back group led by Alvin Kamara, who is set for trial this summer stemming from a February 2022 incident. Until that case concludes, it's difficult to project what New Orleans' backfield will look like.

Walker will be joined in the backfield by 2023 second-round running back Zach Charbonnet, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune reports.

A second-round pick in 2022, Walker started the season injured and didn't take over as the starter until Rashaad Penny went down with a broken leg Week 5. Walker never looked back once being handed the reins, as he finished the regular season with 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns on 228 carries (4.6 YPC) and 27 catches (on 35 targets) for 165 yards. Notably, he posted 100-plus rushing yards in each of the final three games. Despite the dominant effort, it's not surprising that the Seahawks added to the backfield on Day 2. In fact, adding depth was necessary at some point during the draft. Head coach Pete Carroll's offense requires a heavy run game, and Walker frequented the injury report last year despite missing just two games. Charbonnet is an excellent prospect that should do well when he's on the field. However, Carroll will almost certainly make Walker the clear starter as long as he continues last year's effort.