The Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs may pursue 1,900-yard running back, Chase Edmonds in a trade before the regular season begins. In a recent Bleacher Report article, they put together a list of five players who could request a trade. Fowler believes that Edmonds may request a trade since he doesn’t have much of a chance to make the 53-man roster. The Buccaneers were active in searching for a new running back after drafting Oregon product Bucky Irving and it doesn’t help that Edmonds isn’t showing up since the start of training camp.
Irving’s emergence as the future No. 2 running back could make Edmonds expendable. The 28-year-old had a few solid seasons with the Arizona Cardinals working with David Johnson, Kenyan Drake and James Connor but nothing was standing out for him to become RB1. Edmonds is going through the same scenario in Tampa where he’s behind a pair of young and explosive ball-carriers that may lead the way for the next few years. Rachaad White is showing promise as the starter and they have Sean Tucker in the building so that could spell the end of an era for Edmonds in Tampa Bay.
Edmonds still has six years in the league under his belt which is something the Ravens may be looking for to help Derrick Henry. Keaton Mitchell is out with an injury so the only backups they have are John Kelly, Justice Hill and Patrick Richard. Edmonds may not be a starter in the league but he’s a valuable option to give Henry some comfort in the number of snaps he will take. The Chiefs surprisingly are not bringing back Jerick McKinnon to at least give Clyde Edwards-Helaire some competition so to help Isiah Pacheco, Edmonds could give them some help.
Ravens, Chiefs May Pursue 1,900-Yard Running Back Chase Edmonds in Trade
Other Potential Trade Destinations
New Orleans Saints
Edmonds’ addition could give the backfield room more stability for Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Both are two solid starters but Edmonds could probably give Derek Carr another option in the back in case they need another receiver to work the play action. The offense looks weak in the passing game where the only guys that are stable and ready are Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Guys like A.T. Perry and Bub Means need a couple more years to adjust to see what type of impact they have under Dennis Allen’s regime.
New Orleans will be depending on their running game this year so Edmonds is a cheap trade value selection to give more comfortability.
Los Angeles Chargers
The passing game won’t be the same for Justin Herbert this upcoming season after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. However, the good news is that Jim Harbaugh wants to establish a strong physical hard-hitting running game for Herbert. If they believe that an injury-filled Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will last, they have another thing coming. Isaiah Spiller will likely move on to another team which would leave Joshua Kelley to show some promise.
Edmonds’ addition would be depth to help reinforce the backfield and get the offense back in the same attack.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are making moves to improve their roster at the last minute but one thing they must ensure is their offense. It’s great they’re improving their defensive line and the pass rush by adding Linval Joseph, Carl Lawson and Jordan Phillips. However, they can’t win ball games just on the defense, they must be able to make an impact on offense. Ezekiel Elliott is a great addition that’s coming back but it isn’t 2016 anymore.
Royce Freeman is on the chopping block and there hasn’t been a sign of a bright future for Rico Dowdle. Edmonds may not have been impactful as a starter but he’s someone who could last a full season behind Elliott to give him some breathing room. He would be the perfect addition to take on most of the runs while they use Elliott in the red zone.
