Running backs continue to dominate the headlines -- even the TMZ ones -- as NFL's free agency period drags on, but a few other fantasy-relevant names have made appearances in the news as well. Let's see what Tuesday's fuss was about.
Eddie Lacy signs with the Seahawks: The former Packer inked a one-year, $5.55 million deal with Seattle and will immediately move to the top of their depth chart, relegating Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise to backup and change-of-pace duties. Of course, Lacy isn't exactly an iron man, having played only five games last year due to an ankle injury, so both holdovers could get their opportunities in 2017. Interestingly, the 'Hawks don't seem as concerned about making sure the 26-year-old stays slim as the Packers were. Pete Carroll said after the signing that the club wanted Lacy to stay "big" and suit up with a playing weight in the 240s, as they try to return to the power running glory days of Beast Mode. (Having a decent offensive line might help on that front, Pete. Just sayin'.) Of course, Lacy reportedly checked in at 267 lbs. during one of his free agent visits, so even that generous target weight might proven to be a challenge once OTAs roll around.
Latavius Murray visits with the Vikings: With the door now shut in Seattle, Murray will head to Minnesota in his quest to land a starting job somewhere. The Vikings certainly have a vacancy at the top of their depth chart after letting Adrian Peterson go, but considering that Murray fell back to earth in his raw production last season (788 rushing yards in 14 games) and has posted a very pedestrian 4.0 YPC in each of the last two years, the former Raider might continue to find the market for his services softer than he'd like, especially given that this year's draft class seems loaded with potentially productive RBs. Oakland, incidentally, seems to have little interest in bringing him back.
Isaiah Crowell drawing trade interest: One benefit of all the Browns' wheeling and dealing under their new front office is that other teams know you're open for business. Crowell has a pricey second-round tender on him as a restricted free agent, but at least three RB-needy teams have apparently contacted the Browns in an attempt to work out a trade that costs them less draft capital to acquire him. He's coming off his best NFL season, showed he can contribute in the passing game last year and was an undrafted free agent in 2014 when Cleveland picked him up, so cashing out now is probably a smart move. Don't assume a Crowell trade means an increased role for Duke Johnson in 2017, though, as the team could easily pick up a Crowell replacement (or upgrade) in this year's draft.
Rex Burkhead signs with the Patriots: Burkhead finally got some touches with Cincinnati in his fourth year with the club and didn't look too bad, averaging 4.6 YPC on 74 carries, and that was good enough to land a deal with the defending champs. Any New England running back is worth noting, if only because you know they'll go off for 150 yards in some random game when you least expect it. He'll be stuck behind Dion Lewis and James White (and perhaps LeGarrette Blount, again?) on the depth chart, though, so after Burkhead does have his random big game in 2017 don't burn any of your FAAB budget chasing after him.
Andre Ellington could see additional snaps at WR: He's not dislodging David Johnson from the Cardinals' backfield, but Ellington is still dangerous when he gets the ball in open space, so Arizona may look to line him up on the outside more often in 2017. The NFL is a copycat league, after all, and coaching staffs took notice last season when the Packers had great success with Ty Montgomery as a RB/WR hybrid. Ellington could well fill a similar role for the Cards, but again, his touches would still be limited behind Johnson.
Cordarrelle Patterson signs with the Raiders: The former Viking never really got much of a chance as a receiver in Minnesota, making his mark primarily as a kick returner, but that doesn't figure to change in Oakland with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree entrenched at the top of the depth chart. What the signing does do is free up Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington from return duties, indicating the team may be happy with them as their top RBs in 2017.
Julius Thomas is healthy again: Various nagging injuries limited him to 21 games over the last two seasons and made Thomas' time in Jacksonville a bust, but he says he's now healthy and ready to get back to being a mismatch nightmare for opposition defenses. Just as important as his health from a fantasy perspective is that he's back in a passing game that knows what to do with him. The Dolphins picked him up for a song in late February, and Miami head coach Adam Gase was his offensive coordinator in Denver. A Ryan Tannehill-led attack is never going to be as prolific as those Peyton Manning-helmed Broncos offenses, but Thomas should still be able to post respectable numbers in 2017. Assuming, of course, the 28-year-old can stay on the field.
Cecil Shorts' career may be over: The wide receiver is looking at an 18-to-24 month recovery timetable from the devastating knee injury he suffered in December, which means Shorts will be in his early 30s having likely missed two full seasons by the time he's even healthy enough to think about a comeback. The former Jaguar, Texan and Buccaneer has carved out a decent career for himself after being an unheralded fourth round pick in 2011, but don't write him off completely just yet. If he had the drive and work ethic to succeed in the NFL to begin with, he might have the drive and work ethic to come back from this, too.