NFL Player News

Perine should have a role in the Cincinnati offense this season, according to Jay Morrison of The Athletic.

Bengals OC Brian Callahan has made it clear he wants to use Joe Mixon more, but the team will still need a backup RB to take some snaps, and for the first time in years it won't be passing-down specialist Giovani Bernard (now with Tampa Bay). Perine is much different from Bernard, of course, offering size and power rather than agility and receiving skills. Fortunately for the Bengals, Mixon is a well-rounded back who can be trusted for any down and distance, giving the team flexibility in terms of which snaps the backup handles. Perine was an effective runner in limited action last year, taking 63 carries for 301 yards (4.8 YPC) and three TDs, including a 13-95-2 rushing line Week 16 at Houston. The other competitors for backup work in Cincinnati are rookie sixth-round pick Chris Evans, undrafted rookie Pooka Williams and 2019 sixth-round pick Trayveon Williams.

Perine (illness) could need to impress at OTAs in order to earn a role in the New York backfield, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Perine, who dealt with hamstring issues in 2020 and concluded his rookie year on the COVID-19 list, has been joined by fourth-round pick Michael Carter and veteran Tevin Coleman in the backfield. All three of those players could have a role on offense, but the extent of Perine's involvement could largely hinge on his performance in OTAs and training camp. If Perine struggles to impress new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, it's conceivable that even Ty Johnson and/or Josh Adams could pass him on the depth chart.

Jefferson has signed a four-year contract with Detroit, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After bursting onto the collegiate scene with over 1,500 total yards as a true freshman at Oregon State in 2018, Jefferson seemed destined to be drafted before the seventh round. The 2020 first-team All-Pac-12 running back instead fell into the Lions' lap at No. 257 overall this spring, which presumably played a large role in the team's decision to waive Kerryon Johnson last week. Barring any surprise training camp performances from undrafted rookies Rakeem Boyd or Dedrick Mills, Johnson's absence seemingly puts Jefferson in the driver's seat for the No. 3 role in the Detroit backfield behind D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.

Clement has signed a contract with the Giants, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Clement appeared in 15 games with the Eagles last season but played a minimal role on offense, totaling just 26 touches. He featured more prominently on special teams, where Clement has some experience returning punts and kicks. Clement's versatility should give him the inside track when it comes to securing a spot on the Giants' roster, but he'll need to earn that spot in preseason.

Boone appears set for a rotational depth role in Denver's backfield after the selection of Javonte Williams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Boone initially seemed to be in the mix for the No. 2 role behind Melvin Gordon in Denver, at least after the team's decision to cut Phillip Lindsay, but Javonte Williams boasts the talent and draft capital to push for touches right away. On the bright side, coach Vic Fangio did say he hopes to make use of "[the Broncos'] three backs" -- Boone, Gordon and Williams -- and "get a nice flow and get a good understanding and philosophy of the system which we'll take from week to week to utilize all three of them." Even if such a rotation does come to fruition, Boone will no doubt be third in the pecking order. He'd likely need either Gordon or Williams to miss time in 2021 in order to be fantasy relevant.

The Jets claimed Walter on Thursday.

Walter, who was waived by San Francisco earlier this week, rejoins coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur in New York. His familiarity with the scheme could increase Walter's chances of earning a depth role with the Jets.

The 49ers waived Walter on Wednesday.

Walter had one carry for three yards and secured his lone target for 27 yards in four appearances last season. Back in 2019, he suited up for a single game for the Giants.

Harris and Sony Michel are poised to head the Patriots' backfield in 2021, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.

Also in the mix are pass-catching back James White and fourth-round draft pick Rhamondre Stevenson, while Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor provide depth. From a fantasy perspective, Harris -- who finished 2020 with 137 carries for 691 yards (5.0 YPC) and two touchdowns profiles as the team's top option, but his minimal impact in the passing game hampers his utility in PPR formats. With Michel and Stevenson also in the early-down equation, Harris' week-to-week volume may fluctuate in 2021, with injuries and opponent-based game scripts also likely to emerge as important factors in determining how many touches he logs as the season rolls along.

Hill is in good position for Baltimore's No. 3 RB spot, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

The Ravens didn't sign any veteran running backs this offseason, nor did they use any of their eight draft picks on the position. That's probably a vote of confidence in J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards more so than Hill, but it nonetheless puts Hill in good position for the No. 3 spot, which might just be the same role he handled late last season after Mark Ingram fell out of favor. Between the final five weeks of the regular season and two playoff games, Hill saw three carries and two targets on 35 offensive snaps, mostly handling third downs. While it isn't a role that comes with any inherent fantasy value, Hill does find himself just one injury away from a shot at more work on the ground.

Felton could have to win a role in the return game to make Cleveland's regular-season roster, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Felton, who the Browns grabbed in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, is a running back/wide receiver combo who doesn't have a clear path to snaps in either role. It's possible that he eventually develops into a third-down or slot option, but as a rookie he could be relegated to the practice squad if he can't impress on special teams.