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2015 Redskins Free Agency: Add the Redskins to the List of Teams Interested in RB C.J. Spiller

Add another veteran RB to the list of players the Redskins are interested in

By Scott Jennings
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Rand Getlin from Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Washington Redskins are one of at least 7 teams interested in former Buffalo Bills RB C.J. Spiller. He became available this week following the trade between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Bills that sent RB LeSean McCoy to Buffalo.  Spiller learned that he would not be re-signed while in the green room at NFL Network and then went on camera following the news to discuss it.

Spiller is turning 28 this year and entering his 6th year in the NFL.  Getlin points out that he was very productive in his first 4 years, and even though he has dealt with injuries recently, he has played in 70 out of 80 games.  His production has dropped off over the last two years since he has his best season as a professional player in 2012.  The Bills were obviously ready to move on, and new Head Coach Rex Ryan made the move to trade a LB coming back from ACL surgery for a RB to replace the one he inherited.

Over his first four seasons, Spiller generated 5,550 all-purpose yards (he also returned kicks) and scored 18 total touchdowns. In that span, he averaged 5.1 yards per carry while rushing for 3,021 yards and displayed versatility with 139 receptions for 1,070 yards.

How does C.J. Spiller fit into the Redskins plans for free agency?  This seems like a typical pre-free agency name that the Redskins get associated with every year.  Would Jay Gruden like a RB with Spiller's skillset?  Absolutely.  But he reportedly turned down $4.5 million/year from the Bills before the McCoy trade happened, and he will likely be much more expensive than the Redskins would and should spend on a RB this year.  Earlier today the Redskins got linked to another veteran RB in Justin Forsett.  Forsett is older(30 this year), but had the best year of his career with the Ravens while playing on a vet-minimum contract.

The Redskins have had Alfred Morris as their starter since Week 1 of his rookie year, starting every game.  Behind him are two inexperienced RBs in Silas Redd, and Chris Thompson.  Roy Helu, Jr. is expected to hit free agency, and not look back. Getlin asks if Spiller could be a steal in free agency this year, but I doubt that new Redskins GM Scot McCloughan will consider it a steal at his asking price.

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