Darren McFadden is one of the most intriguing free agents on the market and interested teams like the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers could all fit the Oakland Raiders running back despite his past injury history.
If McFadden weren't injured so often he would easily be the top free agent running back on the market, but since he has missed nearly half of the Raiders last 41 games, teams will be cautious when it comes to signing him. Many felt that the Raiders would not be willing to re-sign him since he has been injured so much, but ESPN.com reports that Reggie McKenzie would be open to signing him back at the right price. McFadden is generating "significant" interest on the market reports ESPN.com writer Adam Schefter and the Bengals have been mentioned as a potential option.
The Cowboys likely do not have the money to sign him, while the Jets, Texans and Browns all need new starting running backs and Cleveland could be a fit for McFadden along with the Texans after Trent Richardson was traded and Ben Tate is a free agent for those teams mentioned. The Bengals could team Giovanni Bernard with McFadden, while the Niners could use some support for Frank Gore. The Jets want to be a running team and they could add McFadden, while the Bengals have been mentioned due to the connection to his former coach Hue Jackson, who is offensive coordinator.
Ben Tate, Maurice Jones-Drew and Knowshon Moreno are also on the market and now McFadden is looking to get with a team and this comes after he has missed an average of five games per season for 29 total. He put up over 1,000 yards in only one season and this comes after he signed a six-year, $42 million deal as a rookie. McFadden comes in after rushing for just 379 yards last season and he only averaged 3.3 yards per carry the last two years.
The 26 year old has the potential to be great if he can stay healthy and while he has averaged 4.2 yards per carry with the Raiders, the past two years have left a bad taste in their mouths and that is why they will wait and see on him. The Miami Dolphins are also another option, as are the NY Giants. McFadden is a good receiver out of the backfield and if he is healthy he can really open up the offense for a number of teams and the Browns have the money to spend and so do the Dolphins and the Jets.
