Arian Foster - Pro Football Rumors

Arian Foster To Be Ready For Training Camp?

June 20th, 2016 at 3:03pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent running back Arian Foster is expected to be healthy in time for training camp, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. That news jibes with a report earlier this month that indicated that although Foster could have passed a physical in early June, he would wait until the end of July to begin working out for teams, hoping that extra time would help ensure that he was in “football condition.”

According to Fowler, three teams have recently expressed interest in Foster, who is currently assessing possible fits as he gets healthy. It’s unclear exactly how “recently” Fowler is referring to, but the only club that has officially met with Foster this offseason is the Dolphins, who did so back in March. Miami, however, reportedly views Foster as more of a fallback option, a safety net in the event that its young crop of running backs falter.

Another AFC East club, the Patriots, apparently had “preliminary interest” in Foster earlier this year, but little came of that reported intrigue Still, Foster should be able to find a market for his services if he can prove he’s fully recovered from an October Achilles tear, and I recently listed eight clubs that could be sign the veteran runner, including the Raiders, Broncos, and Chargers.

Foster, 29, is still capable of putting up results when he is on the field. He accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015, and injuries, his age, and his increasing cap number resulted in the Houston releasing him this spring.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Dolphins, Arian Foster

June 8th, 2016 at 9:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have been connected to Arian Foster for much of the offseason, but it doesn’t sound like he is a priority free agent for them. The Dolphins “will consider him if they have an injury or if their young backs falter,” but they will not pursue him otherwise, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.

So far, the Dolphins have been effusive in their praise for third-round running back Kenyan Drake and he figures to be the No. 2 back behind Jay Ajayi. The team’s running back depth chart also features Damien Williams (sidelined with an undisclosed injury), Daniel Thomas, and Isaiah Pead. Still, the Dolphins have kept their eyes peeled for other veteran backs like Foster and Dan Herron. Jackson says that Herron is in a similar boat as Foster – although he did not receive an offer after his Monday workout, he remains on their radar should Miami determine it needs help at the position.

Ranked as our No. 3 available offensive free agent at this stage of the offseason, Foster racked up 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. However, injuries have slowed Foster down in recent years. In 2015, Foster played in just four games and ran for 163 yards off of 63 carries.

Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson listed the Dolphins as one of eight teams that could potentially be a fit for Foster.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

8 Teams That Could Sign Arian Foster

June 3rd, 2016 at 9:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The concern with Arian Foster has always been health. Foster, who will turn 30 in August, racked up 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But he’s now coming off a major injury, having ruptured his Achilles in late October of last year.

As he’s presumably still recovering from that malady, Foster apparently won’t work out for teams until late July, so it could be awhile before he finds a new club. Still, as we noted when ranking him as the third-best offensive free agent remaining on the open market, Foster possesses the highest upside of any player still on the board, meaning that he should be able to generate interest around the league.

Let’s take a look at the clubs that could make sense as fits for Foster in the coming months…

Denver Broncos — Foster spent the first five years of his career under Gary Kubiak in Houston, so it would make sense that the current Broncos head coach would have interest in his former bellcow back. There hasn’t yet been any reported link between Denver and Foster, and perhaps the club feels that their backfield is too crowded given that they re-signed both C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman — handing the former a four-year, $18MM deal — and used a fourth-round pick on Devontae Booker. But if they’d have him, Foster might welcome the opportunity to not only play in a zone-based scheme that he knows well, but to join the defending Super Bowl champions.

Detroit Lions — After finishing dead last in the NFL in rushing yards last season, the Lions haven’t done much to address their backfield, having only signed Stevan Ridley in free agency while using a seventh-round pick on Dwayne Washington. Detroit did invest in its offensive line, spending a first-round pick on Taylor Decker (who looks to be the club’s preferred option at left tackle) while picking up Graham Glasgow and Joe Dahl, who figure to be key reserves during their rookie seasons, in rounds three and five, respectively. But adding another back to their rotation, and limiting their dependence on Ameer Abdullah (who underwent shoulder surgery over the offseason), Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner, might be the best route for the Lions.

Indianapolis Colts — Like the Lions, the Colts chose to address their rushing game concerns not by adding to the crop of backs, but by concentrating on their offensive line, using four draft picks (including their first-rounder) on front five help. Indy’s running back depth chart is still perilously thin behind 33-year-old Frank Gore, with Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman representing the best fill-in options if Gore goes down. New offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will reportedly add more zone-blocking concepts to the Colts’ game-plan, so Foster, who’s spent his career in that scheme, might feel at home.

Miami Dolphins — Miami was the first known club to show interest in Foster, having him in for a visit at the end of March. While that meeting didn’t result in a deal getting finalized, the Dolphins are reportedly still monitoring Foster’s free agency, likely waiting for him to show signs of full health. Head coach Adam Gase has said that second-year running back Jay Ajayi has the inside track at leading Miami’s backfield in touches, and the team spent a third-round pick on fellow back Kenyan Drake, but after striking out on C.J. Anderson, Chris Johnson, and Ezekiel Elliott over the past several months, the Dolphins are clearly in the market for another runner as they seek to replace Lamar Miller.

New England Patriots — The Patriots have spent the past few months adding solid veteran role players like Chris Long, Terrance Knighton, Shea McClellin, Nate Washington, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Bill Belichick & Co. wrap the offseason by signing Foster. New England reportedly had “preliminary interest” in Foster last month, and he’d make for a nice fit in a backfield that includes LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis, James White, Donald Brown, and Brandon Bolden. That stable of backs would mean that Foster wouldn’t be required to carry the full load, and limited touches could be a boon to his health.

Oakland Raiders — Latavius Murray was one of only seven running backs to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 2015, and he did so behind an offensive line that ranked just 19th in adjusted line yards. But the Raiders seemed set on adding another back this offseason, expressing interest in both Doug Martin and DeMarco Murray before drafting DeAndre Washington in the fifth round. Oakland is clearly an ascending team, with a young offensive core that already includes Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree, Clive Walford, and Murray. A playmaker of Foster’s talent could be the final piece that allows them to knock off the Broncos in the AFC West.

Philadelphia Eagles — Having already shipped out DeMarco Murray, the Eagles have dealt with trade rumors regarding fellow running back Darren Sproles — while both team and player have downplayed any such speculation, Sproles could be in danger of not making Philadelphia’s final roster even if he isn’t dealt away, as Over the Cap’s performance-neutral Expected Contract Value metric gives Sproles a 92% chance of being released. With Ryan Mathews and fifth-round rookie Wendell Smallwood the only guarantees to earn roster spots, a veteran like Foster could add a spark and depth to a backfield that could use both.

San Diego Chargers — San Diego had high hopes for its rushing attack after trading up to select Melvin Gordon in the first round of last year’s draft, but offensive line injuries and Gordon’s own poor play led to the Chargers finishing 31st in rushing DVOA. Gordon then had microfracture surgery in January, and while his long-term prognosis is positive, serious knee injuries are always unwelcome news for young running backs. The Chargers have the useful Danny Woodhead, the small-statured Branden Oliver, and the wonderfully-named Dreamius Smith behind Gordon, but there’s certainly room for another back.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Arian Foster

June 1st, 2016 at 8:33am CST by Zachary Links

Arian Foster is now pushing back his timetable for signing with a team. The sense is that Arian Foster will not work out for teams until late July, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The running back probably would pass a physical now, but those extra six weeks or so will help to make sure that he is in football condition, Schefter adds.

When Foster does work out for teams, the Dolphins will very likely be among the stops on his NFL tour. The Patriots, depending on who you ask, also have some early interest in the 29-year-old (30 in August). The Redskins reportedly have interest in adding a running back to the mix, though they’re more interested in Pierre Thomas than they are in the former Texans standout.

Ranked as our No. 3 available offensive free agent at this stage of the offseason, Foster racked up 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. However, injuries have slowed Foster down in recent years. In 2015, Foster played in just four games and ran for 163 yards off of 63 carries.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Redskins Could Add Running Back

May 29th, 2016 at 7:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Redskins envision that second-year player Matt Jones will be their starting running back, as head coach Jay Gruden said in March. But that doesn’t mean the club won’t consider making an addition to their backfield, John Keim of ESPN.com details. Washington won’t be in the market for Arian Foster at this time, per Keim, but the team is still interested in fellow veteran Pierre Thomas, who played in four games for the Redskins in 2015.

As I noted when ranking Foster as the No. 3 available offensive free agent, the 29-year-old back is still capable of putting up results when he is on the field. He accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015, and injuries, his age, and his increasing cap number resulted in the Houston releasing him this spring.

Foster has garnered some interest since being cut by the Texans, as he met with the Dolphins in the early stages of free agency — Miami is reportedly still “monitoring” Foster, perhaps waiting for him to prove his health before issuing a contract offer. For what it’s worth, Foster recently said he could need until July or so to get back to his old form. The Patriots also have some modicum of “preliminary interest” in the free agent back.

Thomas, meanwhile, hasn’t been linked to any other clubs since the free agent period opened (aside from the Redskins, of course). After signing on with Washington in December, Thomas rushed for 4.7 yards per carry on 11 totes, adding nine receptions for another 84 yards. Those limited numbers obviously don’t speak to Thomas’ true ability, especially in the passing game — in eight years with the Saints, Thomas averaged 49 receptions per season. The 31-year-old, then, could make sense as a third-down option behind Jones.

As the more high-profile back, Foster is likely to cost more than Thomas, but doesn’t mean Thomas is going to settle for a minimum deal. According to Keim, Thomas waited to sign last offseason while waiting for a good fit, and clubs apparently deemed his asking price too high — Thomas might be willing to wait out the league again while searching for the right opportunity.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: Browner, Cowboys, Foster

May 26th, 2016 at 8:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Some assorted notes from around the NFL on this Thursday evening…

Brandon Browner told Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (via Twitter) that returning to the Seahawks was a “no-brainer.” The veteran also acknowledged that he had received an offer from the Redskins.
Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones says the team has faith in Kellen Moore as the team’s No. 2 QB, Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram tweets. Jones’ comments indicate that the team will not be looking for outside help to support starter Tony Romo.
Free agent running back Arian Foster says he’s getting closer to being 100% healthy, though he says that he needs some more time before he can look like his old self. “I probably need another month to get where I am, the person everyone is use to seeing,” Foster told David Nuno of ABC13. “I can definitely play, but I need another month to be where I want to be and be at that Pro Bowl level I can be at.”
Former Duke quarterback Anthony Boone is still in the hospital recovering from hands and hip surgeries following a weekend car crash, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was operating the vehicle, and while cops said the 22-year-old had been drinking, sobriety tests proved that he was not impaired. Boone, 24, spent time with the Lions last season.

Dolphins Still Monitoring Arian Foster

May 26th, 2016 at 8:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins continue to monitor Texans free agent Arian Foster, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Foster visited with Miami in late March but left without a deal.

Foster is still recovering from a torn Achilles, though he reportedly should be able to pass a physical sometime in the coming weeks. Given his injury, Foster’s reps made it clear that he was in no rush to sign this offseason. The Dolphins would be a logical landing spot for Foster as the veteran could push presumptive starter Jay Ajayi for playing time and give rookie tailback Kenyan Drake extra time to develop.

Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranked the top offensive free agents remaining on the open market and placed Foster in the top ten. In addition to the Dolphins, he ID’d the Raiders, Eagles, and Chargers as potential matches for the veteran. The Patriots, depending on who you ask, may have preliminary interest in the four-time Pro Bowler.

Foster, 30 in August, accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and that figure would have been even higher if injuries had not slowed him down over the course of the last three seasons. After earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons, Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015. Those injuries, along with his age and his increasing cap number, resulted in the Texans releasing him this spring.

In 2015, Foster was slowed by a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, and later suffered a torn Achilles, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. When he played, he was at his least productive, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry on 63 attempts. Still, if he recovers well from the Achilles injury, the Tennessee alum could have something left in the tank — he was a Pro Bowler in 2014, piling up 1,246 rushing yards in just 13 contests.

In other Dolphins running back news, Jackson notes that the Fins staff sees Damien Williams as the front-runner for the No. 3 RB job behind Ajayi and Drake, though Daniel Thomas could push Williams. Ultimately, veteran Isaiah Pead “faces an uphill climb” and it sounds like he could be the odd man out.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Patriots Have “Preliminary” Interest In Arian Foster

May 21st, 2016 at 9:35am CST by Dallas Robinson

SATURDAY, 9:35am: For what it’s worth, Foster was spotted at Boston’s Logan Airport yesterday, but ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss says a trip to Gillette Stadium wasn’t in his itinerary.

The Patriots may have eight running backs on their current roster, but Reiss doesn’t believe that’d prevent the organization from pursuing a veteran running back. The writer notes that Foster’s “well-documented” rushing production and his pass-catching ability make him a natural fit for the Patriots, but the running back’s health is also a big factor.

The Patriots currently have Dion Lewis, LeGarrette Blount, James White, Donald Brown, Brandon Bolden, Tyler Gaffney, Joey Iosefa and undrafted D.J. Foster on their roster.

FRIDAY, 6:06pm: After the Patriots chose not to select a running back in last month’s draft, they could be eyeing help via the free agent market. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), New England has interest in free agent running back Arian Foster, but that interest is “just preliminary.”

Per Cole’s report, it sounds as though the Patriots are simply doing their due diligence on Foster, at least for the moment. It wouldn’t be surprising if New England’s reticence to take a more serious look at Foster is related to his health questions, as a report just this morning indicated that Foster is a week or two away from being able to pass a physical. In 2015, Foster was slowed by a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, and later suffered a torn Achilles, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Still, as I noted when ranking Foster as the No. 3 available offensive free agent, the 29-year-old back is still capable of putting up results when he is on the field. He accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons. But Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015, and injuries, his age, and his increasing cap number resulted in the Houston releasing him this spring.

The Patriots will return much of the same running back corps that that they fielded in 2015, as LeGarrette Blount will team with James White, Brandon Bolden, and a rehabbing Dion Lewis to carry the load in New England. The one new addition to the club’s backfield is former Charger Donald Brown, but he figures to see most of his action on special teams.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Arian Foster

May 20th, 2016 at 8:42am CST by Zachary Links

Free agent running back Arian Foster is “probably a week or two from being able to pass a physical,” according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). At that point, he adds, Foster’s market will probably start to come into focus.

Foster was by the Texans in early March with a failed physical designation as he was recovering from a torn Achilles. Given his injury, Foster’s reps made it clear that he was in no rush to sign this offseason. In late March, he visited with the Dolphins, but he left Miami without signing a contract.

Foster, 30 in August, accumulated 6,472 rushing yards during his seven years as a Texan, and that figure would have been even higher if injuries had not slowed him down over the course of the last three seasons. After earning three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2010 to 2012, averaging about 1,900 all purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in those seasons, Foster was limited to 25 regular-season games from 2013 to 2015. Those injuries, along with his age and his increasing cap number, resulted in the Texans releasing him this spring.

In 2015, Foster was slowed by a groin injury in training camp and the preseason, and later suffered a torn Achilles, landing him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. When he played, he was at his least productive, averaging only 2.6 yards per carry on 63 attempts. Still, if he recovers well from the Achilles injury, the Tennessee alum could have something left in the tank — he was a Pro Bowler in 2014, piling up 1,246 rushing yards in just 13 contests.

Recently, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranked the top ten offensive free agents remaining on the open market and placed Foster in the top ten. In addition to the Dolphins, he ID’d the Raiders, Eagles, and Chargers as potential landing spots for the veteran.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Best Available NFL Free Agents: Offense

May 19th, 2016 at 11:30am CST by Dallas Robinson

The most high-profile free agent signings occurred more than two months ago, but as we near June there are still talented NFL free agents available on the open market. Most of these players (with a few exceptions) won’t command much guaranteed money, and given that we’ve passed the May 12 deadline, none will factor into the compensatory draft pick formula. Let’s take a look at the players who will try to find a home as training camp approaches:

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB: The most obvious destination for Fitzpatrick remains the Jets, who don’t intend to play second-round pick Christian Hackenberg immediately but, as of the draft, hadn’t had meaningful talks with Fitz’s camp in awhile. The 33-year-old Fitzpatrick has apparently told people he’d “rather not play football” in 2016 than accept New York’s current offer, though that seems like a negotiating ploy to get the Jets to put more than $7-8MM on the table. Gang Green holds all the leverage in this scenario, as the only other club that might have still been searching for a quarterback — the Broncos — is thought to have ended their hunt for another signal-caller after drafting Paxton Lynch last month.

2. Anquan Boldin, WR: Even as he ages, Boldin continues to post solid production — he’s managed at least 65 receptions in each of the past four years, averaging nearly 1,000 yards and five touchdowns during that time. And while the 49ers have not asked him to return in 2016, Boldin could be an option for a number of wide receiver-needy teams, as the Bengals, Steelers, Colts, Chiefs, and Giants could all make varying levels of sense for the veteran pass-catcher, especially given that he’s indicated he’d prefer to play for a contender. Boldin has taken just one free agent visit this offseason, but that team — Washington — is unlikely to still have interest given that it selected TCU wideout Josh Doctson in the first round of the draft.

3. Arian Foster, RB: There’s no question that Foster offers the highest upside of any free agent on this list, as he’s topped 1,200 yards rushing in every season that he’s remained even remotely healthy. But health, of course, has remained a hindrance throughout Foster’s career — in 2015 alone, Foster was slowed by a groin injury during camp before suffering a torn Achilles in in Week 7. The Dolphins met with Foster earlier this offseason and could still be a landing spot, while the Raiders, Eagles, and Chargers (especially if Melvin Gordon‘s recovery from microfracture surgery doesn’t go well) could be options.

4. Jahri Evans, G: Knee and ankle injuries limited Evans to 11 games in 2015, but like Foster, Evans is a solid contributor when he’s on the field, as he graded as the league’s No. 27 guard among 81 qualifiers last year, per Pro Football Focus. Entering his age-33 season, Evans might have to be willing to engage in a camp battle for a starting role, or even wait until a club suffers an injury along its offensive interior. But a team like the Broncos, who are currently projected to start sixth-round rookie Connor McGovern at right guard, could express interest.

5. Louis Vasquez, G: Vasquez isn’t quite the guard that Evans is, but he offers a vast amount of experience, as he played over 1,000 snaps in 2015 with Denver, and has started 101 games since entering the league in 2009. Not yet 30 years old, Vasquez could help a number of clubs at either guard position — he met with the Titans earlier this offseason, and depending on its assessment of Jeremiah Poutasi, Tennessee may still be interested. The Chiefs, having failed to replace Jeff Allen, could also make sense as a destination.

6. Andre Johnson, WR: After posting the worst full-season results of his career, Johnson was released by the Colts just one season into a three-year pact. Whether interested clubs will determine that Johnson was victimized by a lackluster 2015 Indianapolis (and largely Andrew Luck-less) offense — or instead conclude that Johnson is just about finished at age-34 — is an open question, but the 13-year veteran has indicated that he’d like to continue playing in 2016.

7. Will Beatty, T: Beatty is expected to be fully healthy this summer after missing the entire 2015 season with a torn pectoral muscle, but he reportedly won’t be returning to the Giants. It’s a little surprising that Beatty hasn’t yet found a home for 2016, but he shouldn’t have to wait much longer, as he’s clearly the best tackle available on the open market (his top competition is the likes of Jake Long and Mike Adams). I could see the Bears bringing in Beatty to compete with Charles Leno on the blindside, while the Cardinals could also be a feasible landing spot if they aren’t happy with D.J. Humphries — who didn’t play a single snap as a rookie — at right tackle.

8. James Jones, WR: Another season catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, another successful year for Jones, who returned to Green Bay after a year in Oakland to post 50 receptions for nearly 900 yards an eight touchdowns. Jones, now 32, has indicated that he’d like to play for awhile longer, though the Packers have reportedly moved on. After waiting until July of last year to sign with the Giants (and September to reunite with the Pack), Jones could again have to wait awhile to find a new team, but whoever signs him will be acquiring a big-play threat — in 2015, Jones ranked fourth in the league with 17.8 yards per reception.

9. Ryan Wendell, C/G: Perhaps the least recognizable name on this list, Wendell spent the last seven seasons as a utility interior lineman with the Patriots, and ended up starting 44 contests from 2012-2014. A knee injury prematurely ended Wendell’s 2015 season in November, and a March report stated that Wendell would wait until he returned to full health before signing with a new team. A return to New England can’t be ruled out, but a club like the Cardinals — who are currently projecting A.Q. Shipley to start at center — could also be on Wendell’s radar.

10. Owen Daniels, TE: Daniels has spent all ten of his NFL seasons under the tutelage of Gary Kubiak, following the coach from Houston to Baltimore and, finally, to Denver. That streak of loyalty is now in danger after the Broncos released Daniels earlier this year, though Kubiak did not rule out re-signing the veteran tight end (Denver has since signed fellow TE Garrett Graham, however). Even at age-33, Daniels performed in line with his career averages, posting 48 receptions for more than 500 yards and four touchdowns.

Honorable mention: Tarvaris Jackson, QB; Joique Bell, RB; Bryce Brown, RB; Marques Colston, WR; Brian Hartline, WR; Roddy White, WR; Khaled Holmes, C; Amini Silatolu, G.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.