NFL Rumors: Jets may be incentivized to move on from RB Dalvin Cook
The clear RB1 for the New York Jets is Breece Hall. Behind him, there's more room for interpretation.
The Jets signed ex-Viking Dalvin Cook to a one-year deal prior to the 2023 season, and after just six weeks, the team may already be looking to move on from him.
In 2023, Cook has 36 carries for 97 yards and has also recorded eight catches for 44 yards; he's averaging a career-worst 2.8 yards per carry. He was brought on to ease Hall's workload, but now that Hall appears fully recovered from his ACL injury and can handle the lion's share of snaps, do the Jets really need to keep him?
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, teams around the league are "curious" to see what the Jets will do with the veteran back.
New York has third-year back Michael Carter in the mix, who could potentially assume a larger role if the Jets try to trade or release Cook ahead of the October 31 trade deadline.
NFL Rumors: Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow named a surprise trade chip
The Broncos and the Panthers are currently touted to be sellers at the trade deadline. The Las Vegas Raiders could join them in opening up shop this month and try to recoup some value for wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow was recently named a trade chip for the Raiders given his lack of usage in Josh McDaniels' system through two years. After posting a career-high 1,000-plus receiving yard season under Jon Gruden, Renfrow's production has fallen off a cliff.
In the last two years, Renfrow has recorded just 42 total catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns.
As a player who made most of his living in the slot, he's not being used in the same way in McDaniels' scheme and could serve as a more valuable piece to another team.
Renfrow's $6.5 million salary will be a stickler for interested teams, yet with two weeks until the trade deadline, the Raiders and any potential suitor could still be able to work something out.
NFL Rumors: Leonard Fournette scratches Bills visit but remains a hot commodity
Free agent running back Leonard Fournette was scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday. NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that Fournette was scratching that visit due to the Bills losing interest in the veteran back.
This week, the Bills were expecting to lose running back Ty Johnson from the practice squad. That on top of Damien Harris' concerning injury led to a pressing need for backfield depth behind James Cook. When they found out Johnson was staying, they had less of an incentive to sign the ex-Buccaneers ball-carrier. Fournette will continue to scour the rest of the league for more lucrative opportunities.
Fournette last played for the Bucs in 2022 and tallied 189 carries for 668 yard and three touchdowns in 16 games. Despite his bulky size, Fournette arguably provides the most value as a pass-blocking runner rather than an effective goal line contributor.
He could still serve in short-yardage situational roles in some capacity; however, it's his pass-blocking skills that separates him from the rest of the free agent running backs.
Keep an eye on the Ravens, Raiders, and Colts as potential RB-needy suitors this season.
