NFL Player News

Lions general manager Bob Quinn said Abdullah will be the team's starting running back, ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein reports.

Abdullah has quietly been one of the offseason's biggest winners, as the Lions haven't made any notable free-agent additions at running back and also didn't use any draft picks on the position. What's more, Abdullah was medically cleared in March to return from the foot injury that cost him the final 14 games of last season -- giving him a full offseason to prepare for his third professional campaign. Theo Riddick (wrist) is locked in on passing downs and Zach Zenner or Dwayne Washington could handle the short-yardage work, but Abdullah seemingly has a clear path to a role as the primary ball carrier. Following the offseason additions of right tackle Ricky Wagner and right guard T.J. Lang, the Lions could have a productive running game for the first time since 2013. The team produced less than four yards per carry and 90 rushing yards per game in each of the past three seasons, deploying a revolving door of lead backs along the way. Abdullah has the requisite running ability and supporting cast to finally seize the reins, but durability and ball security remain major concerns, buoyed by his lack of ideal size (5-foot-9, 203 pounds) for a lead back.

Mathews (neck) has been cleared to work out, Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal reports.

General manager Howie Roseman said as much following the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday. During the event, the Eagles expressed a pseudo vote of confidence in their existing running back corps, bringing in just Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round. Before he can begin fending off the likes of Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood (knee) in the offseason program, Mathews' primary hurdle remains his recovery from surgery on a herniated disk in his neck. Although Mathews is now able to work out, the extent of his activity is unknown upon the completion of Phase 1 of the program this past week.

McKinnon will face increased competition for playing time with the Vikings drafting Dalvin Cook in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

McKinnon entered the offseason as Minnesota's starting running back but he's fallen to third on the depth chart after the team signed Latavius Murray in free agency and drafted Cook. McKinnon could still have a regular role if the Vikings use his flexibility as a receiver to move him around in two-running back sets. However, his fantasy value takes a significant hit with increased competition for touches.

Murray (ankle) likely will compete with 2017 second-round draft pick Dalvin Cook for playing time during training camp, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Murray, who had bone spurs removed from his right ankle in March, signed a three-year contract with the Vikings in the offseason that appeared to make him Minnesota's primary ball carrier. His role is murkier with Cook on the roster. 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. Either way, Minnesota's backfield touches could be in flux during training camp and early in the regular season.

The Packers selected Jones in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 182nd overall.

Jones (5-foot-9, 208 pounds) is an underrated prospect who was one of the best running backs in college football over the last four years, finishing his UTEP career with 4,114 yards (6.3 YPC) and 33 touchdowns in 35 games while adding 71 receptions for 646 yards and seven touchdowns. Quick and explosive, Jones' skill as a receiver is among the best at his position in this class. It would not surprise if he has a more successful career than fellow Green Bay running back pick Jamaal Williams, who went in the fourth round.

The Buccaneers selected McNichols in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 162nd overall.

McNichols was an extremely productive player at Boise State and may be the second-best pass catcher at the position behind Christian McCaffrey, yet he falls all the way to the mid fifth round. The reason why isn't obvious -- McNichols (5-foot-9, 214 pounds) was also one of the top performers at the Combine, logging a 4.49-second 40, 121-inch broad jump, and 6.93-second three-cone. For a player who totaled 3,980 yards and 53 touchdowns from scrimmage in 25 games, this is a baffling draft tumble. McNichols is pretty much off the redraft radar, but his prospect profile still says he's worth buying in dynasty.

The Colts selected Mack in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 143rd overall.

This could get interesting. The Colts are very thin in the backfield, where Frank Gore, Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson may form the league's worst top three. Mack (5-foot-11, 213 pounds) is an explosive runner who enjoyed extreme success at South Florida, running for 3,609 yards (6.2 YPC) and 32 touchdowns in 36 games. The South Florida system opened generous running lanes and Mack didn't have to interpret much, so he may need some refining before fitting into an NFL-style offense. But if he does, his 4.5 speed should earn him reps in a backfield that just doesn't have any good competition.

The Packers selected Williams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 134th overall.

The former BYU back is as physical of a runner as there is in this class and he routinely wore down opposing defenses last season while shouldering heavy workloads on a weekly basis. He doesn't offer much as a pass catcher and his athletic testing was pedestrian at the Combine, but his 123-inch broad jump shows that he has the leg strength to churn through contact and push the pile. Williams doesn't profile as a feature back, but he's ill-intentioned with the ball in his hands and should be a nice complement to Ty Montgomery.

The 49ers selected Williams in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 121st overall.

Williams is a strange case. After retiring three weeks into the 2016 season at Utah, he returned to the team in October and went berserk. In just seven games, he ran for 1,332 yards (7.1 YPC) and 10 touchdowns, showing skills he never had earlier in his career. At 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, Williams showed well at the Combine with a 4.41-second 40-yard dash and 125-inch broad jump. If Carlos Hyde's injury issues persist, Williams could find himself getting snaps as a rookie.

The Redskins selected Perine in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 114th overall.

This is an excellent landing spot for Perine, who left Oklahoma as the school's all-time leading rusher. He's a big, physical back with a thick frame (5-foot-11, 233) who'll hold up at the next level. He's not a burner by any means with a 4.65 40-yard dash at the Combine, but Perine possesses excellent vision and can do damage once he reaches the second level. Washington's lack of a clear-cut No.1 running back means that Perine could push for playing time early in his career.