NFL Player News

Elliott thinks he can improve on his elusiveness at the second level, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "I think there were a couple times last year where I could've been [better] on certain runs when I got to the second level," said Elliott. "So just kinda focused on finishing my runs and making guys miss at the second level."

Elliott seems to be nitpicking in his search for something to improve, as he led the NFL with 14 runs of 20-plus yards last season while gaining 5.1 yards per carry on his way to a rushing title. He had touchdown scampers of 60, 55 and 32 yards, also adding an 83-yard scoring reception. With his big-play ability already well established, Elliott's likelier source of improvement would be increased involvement in the passing game. He only drew 40 targets in 15 appearances last season, but he was highly efficient with the limited workload, catching 32 balls for 363 yards (9.1 yards per target) and the aforementioned touchdown. The Cowboys still have one of the league's strongest offensive lines, but they do have an obvious weakness at left guard after losing Ronald Leary to the Broncos. Even if that spot remains a question mark heading into the season, Elliott has an unquestioned spot among the top three at his position alongside David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell.

Smith signed a contract with the Dolphins, WKBN.com reports.

Smith wasn't picked during the 2017 NFL Draft, but the Dolphins are going to give him a shot as an undrafted free agent after signing him to a contract. In his senior campaign with Michigan, Smith carried the ball 180 times for 846 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he could provide depth as a big, bruising back that can fight through tackles, his overall speed may hurt his chances of making the final roster.

Harris was released by the 49ers on Monday, Matt Burrows of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Harris didn't receive a tender offer from San Francisco once free agency started, but he did ultimately re-sign with the team in late March. However, after the Niners drafted Joe Williams in the fourth round and brought in rookies for tryouts over the weekend, Harris has again been cut loose. In 10 games last season, Harris rushed 38 times for just 138 yards and caught eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.

McNichols (shoulder), a 2017 fifth-round pick who's already drawing plenty of comparisons to current Bucs running back Doug Martin, is viewed as a three-down back by general manager Jason Licht, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "On film, he's got excellent hands, just rare hands," Licht said. "He's a very well-rounded guy, runs well -- he's got three-down value."

The rookie's stature and body type are certainly reminiscent of Martin, who also happens to be a fellow Boise State alumnus, and the similarities don't end there. McNichols racked up 3,205 yards and 44 touchdowns in three college seasons, coming impressively close to Martin's four-year totals (3,431 yards, 43 touchdowns). Where he was even more accomplished than his predecessor was through the air, with McNichols, a former receiver, compiling 103 catches for 1,089 yards and 11 touchdowns at Boise State. In addition to his standout offensive numbers, the Bucs were also impacted by the 21-year-old's stellar backfield blocking, with Licht praising him as "one of the best pass protectors in the draft" at running back. The torn labrum McNichols underwent surgery for following the Combine has him sidelined for this weekend's rookie mini-camp, but he's expecting to be ready for the start of training camp in late July.

Minnesota will have an open competition during training camp for the team's starting running back position among Latavius Murray, Cook and Jerick McKinnon. "Well, yeah," head coach Mike Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "It'll always be an open competition."

Cook, Minnesota's second-round 2017 draft pick, was a feared and incredibly productive runner in college, totaling 4,464 yards (6.5 YPC) and 46 touchdowns in 38 career games. He'll likely emerge as the starter, but it's possible that he could come off the bench and be eased into action at the start of the season. Cook will need to show he can block in pass protection and limit turnovers (13 fumbles in three years at Florida State) to win an every-down role.

Minnesota will have an open competition during training camp for the team's starting running back position among Murray (ankle), Davin Cook and Jerick McKinnon. "Well, yeah," head coach Mike Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "It'll always be an open competition."

While Zimmer may have been flippant with the comment, it's also notable that he didn't proclaim Murray as the starter heading into training camp. Murray could begin the season as the starter if Cook is eased into action. However, Murray could also have a more limited third-down role. Murray had bone spurs removed from his right ankle in March and isn't expected to participate in practices until training camp.

McCaffrey signed his rookie contract Thursday, Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com reports.

The eighth overall pick officially became a Carolina Panther on Thursday, signing his rookie deal. The 5-foot-11, 202 pound running back will likely be the team's top running back for the 2017 campaign as far as touches and production from scrimmage are concerned, though his spot on the depth chart may not necessarily reflect that, as it's possible he'll technically remain behind Jonathan Stewart. He totaled 5,128 yards and 31 touchdowns from scrimmage across 37 career collegiate games, showing off his talent as a pass catcher as well as a traditional running back.

Martin (suspension) reported that he was in a car accident Thursday but is uninjured.

Martin's vehicle was hit when another driver ran a stop sign and collided with him. Though the running back did receive minor scrapes and bruises, he did report that he is perfectly healthy. It isn't anticipated that the accident will force him to miss any time.

According to head coach Sean Payton, Kamara was one of the few running backs the Saints targeted in the draft because of his "unique traits as a 'joker' back or a running back that we would do some things uniquely different with." The Saints traded away a 2018 second-round pick to move back into the third round of last week's NFL Draft and select Kamara with the 67th overall pick.

Payton explained that with both Mark Ingram and the recently signed Adrian Peterson in the fold, New Orleans was not looking to draft another "pure running back." Rather, the team sought a player that could fit a pass-catching role similar to the one once occupied by Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles in some of Payton's most dynamic offenses. At 5-foot-10, 215-pounds, Kamara doesn't have the build of a traditional starting running back, but he flashed explosive skills in college and impressed Payton during workouts with his route-running ability and receiving chops. While it's probably unrealistic to expect Kamara to post Bush- or Sproles-like production -- Bush caught 88 passes as a rookie in 2006 and Sproles caught 86, 75 and 71 passes in his three seasons with the Saints from 2011-13 -- the rookie should at least beat out incumbent third-down running back Travaris Cadet for a part-time role as pass-catching back and hurry-up specialist.

Watson was waived by the Eagles on Thursday.

Watson was promoted from the Eagles' practice squad to their active roster prior to Week 17 and ran the ball nine times for 28 yards in a touchdown in his lone appearance. He'll look to catch on elsewhere as a depth back.