NFL Indianapolis Colts News, Rumors & Roster: Running Backs Felix Jones, Ray Rice Among Best Free Agents to Sign
At 9-4, the Indianapolis Colts are in first place of the AFC South and third place overall in the AFC behind the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Quarterback Andrew Luck is having a great season leading the league in passing yards, but the Colts have a lot questions at the running back position.
Ahmad Bradshaw is out for the season with a broken ankle, and Trent Richardson isn't showing any signs of improvement. The Colts running game ranks 18th overall, and that won't improve without Bradshaw on the field.
Here are five free agent running backs the Colts could target before the postseason begins.
1. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
"The Law Firm."
Still just 29 years old, Green-Ellis is an average back who can get quality yards between the tackles when needed. He doesn't have blazing speed around the outside, but he is a very disciplined back. In his 51 starts, Green-Ellis has 42 rushing touchdowns and just five fumbles. He has also eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark two of the last four seasons.
Again, Green-Ellis is not an elite running back, but he would certainly be an improvement for the Colts.
2. Felix Jones
The former first round pick for the Dallas Cowboys has a lot of talent. Jones is still just 27 years old and rings a lot of speed with him. He has played in 80 games, 25 of which he started for the Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones averages 4.7 yards per carry and is a multidimensional back who can do damage catching passes out of the backfield as well, compared to Richardson, who averages just 3.3 yards per carry.
Jones wouldn't be able to carry the load, but he can be effective if he's paired with Luck.
3. Ray Rice
It's a long shot, but the Colts may want to consider it come January. The Colts will be facing the best defenses in the postseason, and Rice is a former Super Bowl champion. He has run for more than 1,000 yards four of the last five seasons and averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
Signing Rice would bring a lot of negative attention and drama, but the reward may just be worth the risk. Signing Rice to a short-term deal could help bring a championship attitude to Indianapolis.
4. Tashard Choice
Tashard Choice had a great college career at Georgia Tech, but injuries have left some NFL general managers skeptical about his play. Choice has never been a featured running back in any offense, but he is a good complimentary back. He was great in Dallas, and had a brief stint with the Colts last season. Since being drafted in 2008, Choice averages 4.2 yard per carry, almost an entire yard more than Richardson.
Choice knows the Colts system, and, with Bradshaw out for the season, he could be a good option.
5. Michael Bush
Just last week, the Arizona Cardinals released Michael Bush from their roster. Bush is a big powerful back who stands at 6-foot-2, 243 pounds. He's not in the prime of his career anymore but could be a good back for the Colts, especially on short third down plays and goal line situations. Bush has 29 touchdowns in his 20 career starts, and averages an impressive 4.0 yards per carry.
He won't break the big play very often, but Bush will make opposing defenses feel him at the line of scrimmage.
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