New Orleans Saints

Five possible landing spots for C.J. Spiller

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New Orleans Saints have released running back C.J. Spiller. Where could he end up?

Fresh off of their one-point, Week 1 loss to the Oakland Raiders, the New Orleans Saints have released running back C.J. Spiller. Inactive for Week 1, Spiller was the Buffalo Bills’ ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Spiller is in his seventh season and is coming off of a few years of lackluster play. In 2015, his first season with the Saints, he had only 112 yards before he ended up on injured reserve. In 2014, his final year with the Bills, he only had 300 yards. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since 2013.

So with Spiller now out there for the taking, where could the former Clemson star end up?

5. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran running back Stevan Ridley in August. Could Spiller be the next veteran to join the Colts squad? Indianapolis had 82 yards on the ground in Week 1, a stat that places them 22nd in the league.

Frank Gore was the team’s leading rusher on Sunday. He had 59 yards on 14 carries, a decent 4.2 yards per carry. Quarterback Andrew Luck had the second-most rushing yardage with 21 yards on three attempts.

The Colts had the second-most passing yards in the league with 368 and Luck also had four touchdowns and avoided interceptions. Still, his effort was not good enough for a victory as they lost to the Detroit Lions. One factor that contributed to the Lions’ win was a strong run game, something the Colts seemed to lack. The Lions had a double-threat with Ameer Abedullah and Theo Riddick both contributing to the cause.

Spiller could be a backup behind Frank Gore. If last year’s trend continues, he wouldn’t see much action. After all, last year, Gore had 227 more carries than the next-closest teammate in 2015. If the Colts decided to reexamine their run game after their opening loss, Spiller might make sense as a competent backup who can also play special teams.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) rushes for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best ground games in the league. Le’Veon Bell is currently suspended for missing several drug tests, leaving the bulk of the work to league veteran DeAngelo Williams. Williams led the league with 143 yards in Week 1 and an astoundingly efficient 5.5 yards per carry.

Current backup Fitzgerald Toussaint only had six yards on three attempts in Week 1. Last season, however, he ended up contributing after both Bell and Williams were sidelined with injuries during the postseason.

What would the Steelers do with Spiller? First, James Saxon is one of the most talented position coaches in the league. (He is Adrian Peterson’s former running backs coach.) Much like receivers coach Richard Mann, Saxon works magic. If something does happen to Williams or Bell, Spiller could be a reliable backup to Toussaint (or a starter instead of him.)

Second, the Steelers have struggled on special teams. Last year, they cut Dri Archer and brought in Jacoby Jones, king of bobbles and fumbles. Spiller has first-round talent and extensive NFL experience. Though he is likely past his prime, he might be a nice addition to the Steelers special teams corps so that fans don’t need to worry about seeing Antonio Brown out their fielding punts. Yikes!

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) celebrates after making a first down during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens had a lackluster run game in Week 1. Both Justin Forsett and Terrance West struggled to get the ball moving on the ground as the team relied more on an air assault against the Buffalo Bills.

Why should the Ravens take a chance on Spiller? First, they need to improve their run game, something they have been murmuring about for months. Second, the team has had recent success with another older NFL vet who appeared past his prime. Wide receiver Mike Wallace had disappointing seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, and in Sunday’s game, Wallace showed flashes of his former greatness, scoring a touchdown off of a tremendous 66-yard play. Two other receptions gave him a total of 91 yards in Week 1.

If there is hope for Wallace with the Ravens, there is hope for Spiller. The team only had 83 rushing yards on 28 attempts against the Bills, who were the only team in the league to have fewer yards per attempt. Spiller would love a chance to revitalize his career. Baltimore could be just the place for him to do that.

In Week 2, the Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns who lost to the Eagles in Week 1. Their other division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, will be difficult to beat without reliable running backs and a consistent run game.

LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 26: Quarterback Kirk Cousins

2. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are a team where good talent goes to die, and earn way too much money while they die a slow, painful, frustrating death. C.J. Spiller could fit into this pattern rather nicely. He already has a lot of time in the NFL, his best years are likely behind him, and he would probably gladly accept any money the Redskins want to throw his way.

C.J. Spiller can join the Redskins retirement community, but what is in it for them? The team got rid of their best running back, the super-affable and talented Alfred Morris, who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Despite that move, Washington still aspired to hearken back to the days of the Hogs — the bruising, gritty offensive line that brought the team so much success in the 1980s and supported an effective run game.

After Week 1, it is clear that Washington needs to come up with a different strategy, and perhaps some different personnel, if they plan to establish a run game this season. It remains to be seen if the offensive line can support an effective run game since the team only attempted 12 run plays on Monday night, by far the fewest attempts in the league.

If C.J. Spiller is prepared to sit on the bench while Kirk Cousins attempts to take the Skins entirely airborne, he should consider a stint with the Redskins. If the team is able to adjust its strategy and focus a bit more on the ground game, Spiller could play an active, off-the-bench part in that adjustment.

Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory (33) runs the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsJacksonville Jaguars

1.Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Ivory was hospitalized over the weekend and missed Sunday’s game. After a two-day stay, Ivory was released, but the team has not revealed the timetable for his return or the nature of his illness. Ian Rapoport reported that the episode was unrelated to a calf problem.

Amid uncertainty about Ivory, one thing is clear: The Jacksonville Jaguars run game is in desperate need of help. The Jaguars put up a fight against the Green Bay Packers, losing by the narrow margin of 27-23. En route to this loss, the Jaguars attempted to run the ball to no avail. On 26 attempts, the team only racked up 48 yards, the league’s worst total in Week 1.

With Ivory out, T.J. Yeldon was the teams leading rusher with 21 attempts for 39 yards, a stupendously bad 1.9 yards per attempt. Though Yeldon did score a rushing touchdown, a 48-yard rushing total is unacceptable, even for the Jaguars.

Quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 320 yards, completing 61.5% of his passes. Meanwhile, the defense, though allowing 27 points, held the Green Bay Packers to 294 yards. The weak link on the Jacksonville squad is at running back.

C.J. Spiller is available now. While the team waits to see when Ivory will be ready to return to the field, Spiller has enough experience and talent to fill in a fairly significant gap and serve as a backup once Ivory returns.