Phillip Lindsay’s time with the Broncos came to an end when both parties “mutually agreed” to go their separate ways. With the 26 year old going into only his 4th season, there could be a number of teams lining up for his talents.
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After several positive talks with Phillip Lindsay & his representation, we have mutually decided to part ways.
From a college FA to the first undrafted offensive rookie to make the Pro Bowl, you made an incredible impact in the orange & blue.
Thanks for everything, @I_CU_Boy! pic.twitter.com/G2h0jMpN2Q
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 18, 2021
Phillip Lindsey’s 3 year career has been nothing short of a Cinderella story. At 5- foot-8 and only 190 pounds, Lindsey was slept on throughout the draft process. But after going undrafted in 2018, Phillip Lindsey took the league by storm, rushing for 1,307 yards, 9 touchdowns and averaging a massive 5.4 yards a carry. His ultimate underdog story was capped off with a Pro Bowl appearance, the first by an undrafted rookie in NFL history.
Phillip Lindsay’s accomplishments in Denver:
🔹534 carries, 2,550 yards, 17 touchdowns, zero fumbles
🔹First undrafted player in NFL history to begin his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons
🔹First undrafted offensive rookie to make the Pro Bowl
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) March 18, 2021
Lindsay backed that up with another 1,000+ yard season in 2019. But Phillip Lindsay’s 2020 season was underwhelming to say the least. He missed 5 games and ended the season with only 502 yards and 1 touchdown. So now as a free agent, here are the top 3 places that Phillip Lindsey could call his next team:
The first 2 seasons of Phillip Lindsay’s career were ELITE.
From 2018-2019 players with at least 2k rush yds, 400 rec yds, and 70 rec:
Phillip Lindsay
Ezekiel Elliott
Christian McCaffrey
Saquon Barkley
Joe Mixon
Todd Gurley pic.twitter.com/rGNsnpDB7X— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) March 18, 2021
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were great in 2020. They finished with an impressive 10-6 record and going only 5-11 in 2019. They did all of this with the 22nd ranked rushing attack which was 29th in yards per carry.
Addressing their rushing attack will be one of the key priorities for the Dolphins in 2021. With the AFC east suddenly getting a lot stronger after the Patriots’ spending spree in free agency, landing Lindsay will be a big win. Rookie RB Salvon Ahmed had a breakout game against New England. With him hitting an upward trend, Lindsay and Ahmed could prove to be quite the challenge for NFL defences
Kansas City
Much to all Broncos fans’ dismay right now, their bitter rival will be firmly in the running for Phillip Lindsay. The Chiefs’ highly touted offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has managed one of the best NFL offences over the past few seasons and has kept a successful backfield, with multiple backs receiving carries.
The Chiefs primary back would be 2020 rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who finished an impressive 2020 season with 800+ yards. Following RB Damien Williams’ release, the Chiefs have an opening at the RB2 spot. If signed, Phillip Lindsay would be on an instant Super Bowl contender and a terrific complement to Edwards-Helaire.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire year two breakout 😤 pic.twitter.com/Q3O1Kzcxkb
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) March 17, 2021
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals did well by not signing Kenyan Drake to a long term deal after his late run of good performances entering the 2020 seasons The Cardinals transition tagged him which was a masterstroke because Drake average only 4.0 yards a carry in 2020.
On the surface, the Arizona Cardinals had a great rushing attack in 2020. They were ranked 7th in the whole league. But remove Kyler Murray‘s production as a runner (819 yards, 11 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per rush), and they would have been 31st in the league. As second-level defenders will be weary of Murray keeping the ball on run-pass option plays, Lindsay’s speed would make them pay for their hesitation.
The Cardinals are going all in, in 2021. They had key signings in J.J Watt and A.J green, and with Phillip Lindsay in the picture, the Cardinals will be a real strong push for the Playoffs.
The Broncos are rescinding the RFA Tender on Phillip Lindsay and the RB will hit free agency, per @MikeMcCartney7
Lindsay has 21 runs of 20+ yards since 2018, 4th most among all RBs pic.twitter.com/PGH3QrRKTe
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) March 18, 2021
Honourable mentions: The New England Patriots. The San Francisco 49ers. The Pittsburgh Steelers. The New York Jets.
Also Read: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency 2021: Who Are Mike Zimmer’s Top Free Agency Targets?