RB Market Heating Up; Door Closing on McGahee?

Over the past 24 hours, three of the biggest names in the free agent running back market have found new teams. Last night, veteran Ahman Green landed with the Texans. Earlier this afternoon, Travis Henry signed on with Denver. And tonight, one of Buffalo's division rivals made their own splash at running back.

Reports from ESPN indicate that the New York Jets have traded a second-round pick (#37 overall) to Chicago for the #63 overall pick and the rights to RB Thomas Jones (left). Very little in the way of trade rumors had been circulating around Jones, so this move comes as a bit of a surprise.

The Jets got a lot better tonight. Jones is a proven back with a diverse skill set that immediately gives the Jets a legitimate ground threat. Paired up with Leon Washington, the Jets could have a lethal backfield in '07. I shudder to think what that duo could do against the Bills if we don't shore up our run defense, which was horrendous in '06.

Where Does Willis Stand?
One could make the case that of the running backs available via free agency or trade at the moment, Willis McGahee is the most talented. However, the market may be closing quickly on the Bills' running back - players such as Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes, Jamal Lewis, Correll Buckhalter, T.J. Duckett and Chris Brown have received interest from other teams at this point, while any rumors surrounding McGahee are pure speculation at best.

I'm a Willis McGahee fan - I think he's a very talented football player. With that said, I had hoped he would be traded. I'm a bigger fan of non-distracted, goal-oriented football teams. Willis doesn't seem to always fit that mold.

If McGahee is going to be traded, it's either going to happen in the next couple of days or on draft day. The running back market is picking up its pace fast, and as of right now Bell and Rhodes are the most likely players to get new teams next. While I believe that there is still interest in McGahee from other teams, I just don't see a deal getting done soon. The Bills will find themselves stuck with a lame duck running back in 2007.

Player Movement Update
According to my records (and by no means do I claim them to be perfectly complete), 46 players have changed teams over the last four days. For the list of the first 42, see my previous posts. Here are the last four, all occurring this afternoon:

- DE Kevin Carter, Tampa Bay (Miami) - TBA
- RB Thomas Jones, NY Jets (Chicago) - Trade
- P B.J. Sander, St. Louis (Green Bay) - TBA
- QB Brad Johnson, Dallas (Minnesota0 - 3 years
- C Al Johnson, Arizona (Dallas) - TBA

More signings updates coming tomorrow!