The 2016 NFL league year may not start until 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, but with the so-called "legal tampering period" giving teams two days to negotiate with free agents from other squads, there have already been a couple of developments that have major implications for the running back position in 2016 fantasy drafts.
The biggest news is actually the result of a trade rather than a signing, with DeMarco Murray reportedly heading to Tennessee after a disastrous season in Philadelphia. Murray shouldn't have much competition for carries or catches, but this could be another questionable scheme fit, as the Titans will have to decide between optimizing their offense for an aging running back or optimizing it for Marcus Mariota.
As noted by many last season, Murray appears to be at his best when running behind a lead blocker with his quarterback under center, which made him a poor fit for the Philadelphia offense all along.
Mariota, on the other hand, would probably be most dangerous in a shotgun-heavy offense that allows for plenty of read-option plays and designed quarterback runs, though it's certainly worth noting that the Titans don't necessarily care/agree. Mariota somehow attempted just 34 rushes in 12 games as a rookie, suggesting that the Titans actually prefer to mold him as a traditional, pocket quarterback with the potential to scramble when needed.
The decision to trade for Murray further supports this notion, unless the Titans think that they can do what the Eagles couldn't and mold the former Cowboy into an effective zone runner out of the shotgun.
We'll surely hear about how great this trade is for Mariota, and while that could perhaps come to fruition from a real-life perspective, Murray's presence isn't a positive development for the young signal-caller's fantasy potential.
As for Murray, it's fair to expect a bounce-back season of sorts, assuming the Titans do a decent job of revamping their offensive line. He won't be a first-round guy in fantasy leagues, but I could see him creeping into the second or third round by July.
Elsewhere in the AFC South, T.J. Yeldon didn't exactly have the Tuesday he was hoping for, as his Jaguars have reportedly agreed to sign Chris Ivory to a multi-year deal worth approximately $6 million per season.
Though his rookie campaign wasn't particularly impressive, Yeldon did put up 740 yards on 182 carries (4.1 YPC) while showing decent chops as a receiver, after coming off the board No. 36 overall in last year's draft.
The Jags will pay lip service to the need for a team to have two starting-caliber running backs, but there's no denying that this makes a statement about the team's opinion of its 22-year-old runner. While Yeldon will probably still see a lot of playing time on passing downs, the size of Ivory's contract makes it clear that the team wants the veteran to handle most of the early-down work.
This is kind of the opposite of what most expected for Yeldon when he entered the league, but I actually think the Jaguars may be on to something, as the former Bama star didn't show much power for a 225-pounder last season, yet he did prove to be quite competent as a receiver and blocker. The Jacksonville backfield could be very effective from a real-life standpoint, but it's hard to imagine either guy getting more than 15 touches per game while both are healthy. Yuck.