Running Back Andre Ellington will be returning to the Arizona Cardinals
One of the areas where free agency was set to be especially rough for the Arizona Cardinals was at the running back position. David Johnson is one of the league’s best players, but behind him, things were a question mark. The announcement that Andre Ellington is returning to Arizona helps in that area.
Ellington was drafted in round six of the 2013 NFL Draft. He provided a backup option to Rashard Mendenhall in his rookie season before becoming the primary ball carrier in 2014. In that season, he struggled in a starting role, and averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. He proved to be much better in a backup role, and ran it at a 6.4 yards per carry clip in 2015. His carries were limited, though.
Last season, Ellington played in all 16 games, but was given just 34 carries, and totaled 96 yards. He added 12 receptions for 85 yards. This, despite the fact that injuries robbed the team of its primary backups. So, fans would be forgiven if they assumed his time here was up.
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Chris Johnson and Stepfan Taylor both seem to be on the way out, leaving Johnson and Kerwynn Williams as the only running backs on the roster, prior to Ellington’s signing. Ellington, barring another addition though either free agency or the draft, would be the main backup.
Ellington does have a solid skill set that fits with what the Cardinals like to do on offense. He has plenty of speed, and is a good receiver out of the backfield. When on the field, he replicates many of Johnson’s skills, and can be effective.
Returning on a one-year deal, Ellington will try to earn a longer contract after the season. In an off-season where the Cardinals have lost some key players, having continuity at other spots is helpful. Though he isn’t the big name that fans would have liked, he does have the potential to be a solid player in 2017.