NFL Rumors: Chiefs should look at trading Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The changing way the NFL values running backs has been the biggest story of the summer so far with Josh Jacobs holding out with the Raiders and Jonathan Taylor requesting a trade from the Colts. Teams aren't interested in paying big bucks for rushers. Interest in trading for them has to be at an all-time low as well.
But that's why the suggestion from Bleacher Report's Matt Holder that the Chiefs should take calls on Clyde Edwards-Helaire stands out. This might actually be a rare case for a running back trade to make perfect sense.
Basically, the Chiefs are set at running back with Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon. CEH has been dropped to third in the pecking order. He's about as necessary to Kansas City as he thought it was necessary to attend the Chiefs Super Bowl parade. And he's in the final year of his rookie deal after the team declined his fifth-year option.
Unlike the Colts with Taylor, Kansas City doesn't have pressure to get as much back for Edwards-Helaire as possible. You've got to believe he'd be available for cheap.
As Holder wrote:
A veteran player or even a late-round pick would be more valuable for Kansas City, especially since it has undrafted free-agent signing Deneric Prince as an insurance policy for the third spot on the depth chart if Edwards-Helaire gets traded.
At the same time, there are teams out there who could use some help at running back and Edwards-Helaire, who has been reasonably productive (when healthy), could be a strong option to bring in.
There's a win-win trade to be had if a team comes calling.
NFL Rumors: Dolphins get good news on Terron Armstead injury scare
The Dolphins have already been bit by the injury bug this offseason with Jalen Ramsey suffering a knee injury that will keep him out until December.
So when left tackle Terron Armstead had to be carted off the practice field while not putting any weight on his right leg, fans in Miami were reasonably panicked. Armstead missing significant time in 2023 could be an even bigger issue than Ramsey's absence.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, it seems that the injury isn't as bad as it appeared in the moment.
Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network revealed that Armstead texted him, "I'll be good," in reference to the injury.
"Armstead will get a MRI to be 100% certain," Wolfe tweeted. "But it sounds like good news for Armstead, one of Miami's best players, after practice injury scare."
Armstead is coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season in his debut with Miami. However, he's dealt with injury issues for much of his career, so the Dolphins may want to wrap him in bubble wrap for the rest of the preseason.
NFL Rumors: UDFA Ivan Pace Jr. gets gold star from Vikings
It's the dream of every NFL team to hit it big in the undrafted free-agent market each year. It looks like the Vikings have done just that.
Ivan Pace Jr., who went undrafted out of Cincinnati, has been a revelation at linebacker so far in Vikings training camp. He made impressive plays in preseason action against the Seahawks, further cementing his place in Minnesota's 2023 plans.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell gave the rookie high praise, noting his athleticism and ability to shed blocks, via Will Ragatz of Inside the Vikings:
"Gold stars all the way around for Ivan. As I've challenged him to do, you're not just trying to compete to make out team, let's see where you can go and help us possibly win football games from the jump."
It's clear from O'Connell's comments that Pace is pushing to see serious playing time this year. Most UDFAs are just trying to earn a roster spot but the linebacker is already out to make the rest of the NFL look silly for not drafting him.
Pace was working with the first team on Wednesday with middle linebacker Brian Asamoah sidelined. Gabe Henderson noted that "he looked like a veteran."
