Fomer Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson still has a lot to offer.
Jackson was the unfortunate casualty of LeSean McCoy arriving to town in March. After eight dedicated seasons as the team’s leading rusher, the Bills, led by their new head coach Rex Ryan, decided to cut Jackson.
While Jackson is 34 years old, he has shown that he still has some gas left in the tank. This was easily seen during his excellent Week 3 preseason performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he ripped a 41-yard touchdown run against their unsuspecting defense.
While the going is good and Jackson is healthy, here are some NFL teams in need that should reach out to Jackson.
Houston Texans
Arian Foster has been injury prone in his latter years.
The Texans could definitely use a talented running back to fill in for Arian Foster. Foster is on the mend from groin surgery and is expected to miss up to the first four weeks of the season. While the team has running back Alfred Blue lined up to be the workhorse, he has not proven to be a reliable solution.
Jackson’s versatility as a runner and pass-catcher would be a major asset to the Texans offense. Even when Foster returns, he still is an injury risk due to how heavily the Texans pound the stuffing out of him. Jackson would make the perfect change-of-pace back to keep Foster fresh upon his return.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas doesn’t have anyone who can stay healthy, and it remains to be seen if Joseph Randle is the real deal.
Jackson, at a cheap enough price, could arrive in Dallas to help out its middling crew of running backs. While Darren McFadden is currently stealing the show, he is only one minute away from snagging a fingernail, sending him to the bench for four weeks.
Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar, who have already been sprinkled with injuries this preseason, are definitely not sound answers either at the running back position. Why not add Jackson with his years of experience to the mix? The veteran has maintained a stout average of 4.4 yards per carry over his career and definitely could provide some value to enhance the Cowboys questionable running back committee.
Jackson would also be a dangerous weapon for quarterback Tony Romo in the Cowboys passing game.
Cleveland Browns
Talented rookie Duke Johnson hasn’t been able to stay on the field for the Browns this summer.
The Browns could stand improvements in any way they can get them. By signing Jackson to the squad, it would give them sound depth beyond Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, who have been nothing but mediocre thus far during the preseason. Crowell, during the course of the Browns’ preseason games, averaged only 2.8 yards per carry while West averaged 3.5. Additionally, both young backs continually fight to stay healthy.
Jackson’s knack for pass-catching would also come into play supporting a cast of wide receivers who aren’t exactly oozing with talent. He wouldn’t be the worst addition the “Dawg Pound” could hire to bolster its wobbly offense.
Tennessee Titans
Bishop Sankey has yet to convince Tennessee’s coaching staff that he’s ready to shoulder the load.
Tennessee’s second-year running back Bishop Sankey was a bust for the most part in his rookie year. Thus far over the summer, Sankey has been hot and cold in his preseason performances. Behind Sankey sits veteran Dexter McCluster and rookie David Cobb. Cobb has shown some potential this preseason, but he’s dealing with a calf injury. We’ll likely not see him until the regular season opens.
Without the Titans really having a sound solution at their running back position, Jackson would provide some much-needed depth. He’d be an excellent weapon for rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota to have in the backfield for some short-range catches.
The Titans’ stock is on the rise due to the team’s new face of the franchise, and a polished veteran addition in Jackson would only enhance the chances for success in 2015.
New England Patriots
LeGarrette Blount is a bull in the running game, but New England could use an upgrade on third downs.
Wouldn’t it be sweet vengeance if Jackson landed with the Bills’ AFC East rival New England Patriots? The team recently signed veteran wideout Reggie Wayne, so they’re not opposed to “older” players who still have plenty to offer at their age.
Over the offseason, the Patriots let both running backs Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley test free agency and sign with other teams. Jackson would be an incredible asset to Brady, similar in manner to the way Vereen was utilized. While the Patriots pound the ground with their burly running back LeGarrette Blount, paced with Jonas Gray and Branden Bolden, Jackson’s versatility would be a beautiful addition.
Should a signing like this go down, Jackson could be showing off a big Super Bowl ring as an “I told you so” to his former team.