Darren McFadden is hitting the market and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, NY Jets and Cincinnati Bengals should be options for the Raiders free agent running back and while Oakland would love to keep him, they simply cannot pay that much for a player that has had so many issues getting on the field for the team.
McFadden is coming off a rough season and it was one of the worst results he could have had hitting the free agent market, as he played in just 10 games and rushed for his lowest total since back in his second season when he played in just 12 games. McFadden possesses some great breakaway skills and explosive speed, but he has been unable to remain healthy in his career and has never played in a full 16 game schedule, in fact, he has never played in more than 13 games in any season and he did that just twice in six years, playing in 67 games over that span.
McFadden had his best year in 2010 when he had his only 1,000 yard season with 1,157 and seven touchdowns to set career highs in both categories. That season he also snagged 47 balls for over 500 yards and added three scores for 10 total and while he had 42 catches in 2012, it was for much less yards and he only played in 12 games that season. McFadden signed a huge contract when he was drafted and the Raiders had high expectations for him and now he is likely to leave despite the fact that Reggie McKenzie has a ton of cap space. The team is likely to keep Rashad Jennings while going after names like Maurice Jones Drew and Ben Tate as starters.
McKenzie has enough questions for his own free agents before looking at others, including Jennings, Charles Woodson and star Lamarr Houston and having to deal with McFadden is also on that list. The team may keep him if his demands aren't crazy, but he likely will be asking for a nice chunk of money and that could be too much for the Raiders to spend on an injured back. McFadden has missed 19 games over the past 41 and nearly 30 overall in his career and that is a ton of production missed for the team.
McKenzie made statements that said McFadden could leave and teams like the Cowboys, Dolphins, Jets and Bengals all could be options. McFadden is familiar with Hue Jackson with the Bengals after he was the offensive coordinator and he had his best season that year and could be a nice tandem with rookie Giovani Bernard. The Raiders went just 4-12 last season and the Bengals or Dolphins could be a nice fit, as Miami wants to get their rushing attack more consistent. McFadden and Bernard could be an explosive tandem in Cincy, while the Jets may try and break open things with a player like McFadden.
