[brid autoplay=”true” video=”748702″ player=”23231″ title=”5%20shocking%20NFL%20trades%20we%20could%20still%20see%20this%20offseason” duration=”128″ description=”This past week saw a ton of action around the league. It was not about free agency, as we saw earlier in the offseason. Rather, NFL trades were the name of the game. That included the San Francisco 49ers moving up from the 12th pick to third overall in an attempt to find a quarterback of the future.As teams jockey for position leading up to the draft and look at their rosters with offseason programs getting started here soon, there’s no reason to believe that we’ve seen the last of big-time trades.Could another team move up for a quarterback atop the 2021 NFL Draft? Perhaps, star veterans are traded for one another. Heck, the reigning NFL MVP could be part of a blockbuster trade. Here’s a look at five such moves we could still see this offseason.” uploaddate=”2021-03-30″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/748702_t_1617109780.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/748702.mp4″]
It was just a couple years ago that Todd Gurley was among the best running backs in the NFL. The former first-round pick of the then St. Louis Rams back in 2015 recorded 3,924 total yards and 40 combined touchdowns between 2017-18.
Unfortunately, Gurley’s recent issues with his knee has led to a major downtick in production. Shockingly released by the Rams following the 2019 season, Gurley recorded less than 700 rushing yards at a clip of 3.5 yards per rush for the Atlanta Falcons this past season.
The hope is that his injuries are behind him. Still only 26 years old, there’s still a lot left in the tank. It also now looks like Todd Gurley could be close to signing with a team.
With that as a backdrop, let’s look at three potential destinations for the two-time All-Pro performer and former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
New York Jets look to add Todd Gurley
If the Jets do in fact add Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the rookie quarterback will need more help than what New York has to offer him. Right now, the Jets’ running back room consists of free-agent signing Tevin Coleman, Lamical Perine, Josh Adams and Ty Johnson. To say that’s not going to cut it would be an understatement.
Despite his recent struggles, Gurley would make sense for this team. New Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur boasts a run-friendly offensive scheme dating back to his days with the San Francisco 49ers. It’s similar to the offense Sean McVay ran with the Rams, which saw Gurley turn in some elite seasons. For the Jets, this would also come relatively cheap.
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Kansas City Chiefs fortify running back situation
Last year’s first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming off an 1,100-yard season for the reigning AFC champions. Unfortunately, he was darn inconsistent in the run game. Kansas City needs to find someone to complement what he does on the ground. Right now, that’s highly unlikely to be Darrel Williams after he put up less than 200 yards a season ago. Meanwhile, it’s iffy if Le’Veon Bell is going to return to the team.
Gurley could get his career back on track while starring in the same backfield as Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ ability to add star guard Joe Thuney in free agency could also play a role here. It just makes too much sense for both sides. Whether Kansas City bites remains to be seen.
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San Francisco 49ers take a chance on Todd Gurley
Right now, the 49ers are going to have two former undrafted free agents in Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson shoulder the load next season. The duo combined for north of 1,400 total yards and 13 touchdowns in 2020. They also missed 12 games to injury, leading to San Francisco dropping from second in rushing during their Super Bowl season back in 2018 to 13th last season.
Much like joining the Jets, San Francisco would offer Gurley a running back-friendly scheme to help jumpstart his career. It’s also important to note that the 49ers added Pro Bowl center Alex Mack to the mix while re-signing the best left tackle in the game, Trent Williams. As for Gurley, he’s previously shown interest in signing with San Francisco.
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