Rarely do we see big player swaps in the NFL like we do in baseball or basketball. With such complicated schemes and expansive playbooks, it just doesn't happen all that often. But that all changed yesterday.
The Buffalo Bills agreed to a trade that will send linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles in return for running back LeSean McCoy. Shortly after making the move, the Bills notified free agent running back C.J. Spiller that they would not try to re-sign him this offseason.
Spiller is not hitting the open market at a great time. He carried the ball 78 times for just 300 yards (3.8 yards per carry) in nine games last season. His lack of production and struggles with injuries in a contract year will surely lower his asking price in free agency. But Spiller can still help a team. He is just 27 years old and with has only 826 total touches in his career. In the right situation, Spiller could prove that he has plenty left in the tank.
But what situation would that be?
"Spiller is eligible to become a UFA. I'm told potential suitors considering interest include the Cards, Jets, Dolphins & 49ers at this time," Josina Anderson of ESPN tweeted.
Arizona's need for a running back has been well documented. Andre Ellington is a fine player but proved last season that he is best suited for a complimentary role. Pairing him with Spiller may be a redundancy of skill sets but the Cardinals would undoubtedly be more dangerous in the open field.
The Jets have been linked to Spiller ever since the team hired Chan Gailey, Spiller's former head coach in Buffalo, as its new offensive coordinator. However, ESPN's Rich Cimini believes that New York will instead focus on re-signing free agent RB Bilal Powell, who is a year younger and will be less expensive.
Miami has been whispered as a potential landing spot for other high-profile running backs such as Adrian Peterson. But how likely is a Spiller-to-Miami scenario really? Lamar Miller is coming off the best season of his career and the Dolphins aren't flush with cap space. The same goes for the San Francisco 49ers, though the team will likely want to bring in a running back after it let Frank Gore walk in free agency.
One team that Anderson didn't mention is the Seattle Seahawks. Spiller to the Seahawks may be a stretch, but it's no secret that Seattle is looking for more playmakers on offense this offseason. Plus, the uncertainty surrounding Marshawn Lynch's future could push the Hawks into acquiring some RB insurance.
