NFL Rumors, News and Buzz: RB Movement Highlights Day 3 of Free Agency

The first few days of free agency in the NFL did not disappoint, with a number of blockbuster trades and signings happening within the first 48 hours of the window. But with a few big names still on the open market and a couple of others still very much on the trading block, there is seemingly no end in sight for the chaos that has been the NFL in recent days.

Whether it be a major free agent swapping division rivals or a star leaving the only team he has ever played for in a trade, these are the most recent rumors involving the biggest stars still left on the market in the NFL.

DeMarco Murray to the Philadelphia Eagles

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Is Chip Kelly a genius or a mad man? It honestly depends on which side of Philadelphia fandom you fall on—either the kind that defends 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie no matter what or the one that boos Santa Claus.

Whatever your answer to the above question though, it is hard to deny that the Eagles have been the most interesting team so far in the free-agent period. From trading LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for Kiko Alonso to letting Jeremy Maclin leave to trading Nick Foles for Sam Bradford, there have been a number of moves made this offseason that have people scratching their heads for better or worse.

The most recent rumor surrounding the Philadelphia franchise has been about the potential replacement for McCoy. ESPN's Adam Schefter and Adam Caplan originally reported Frank Gore would be headed to Philly, but that was before the signing fell apart, and the former San Francisco 49er signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

Then Schefter reported that the Eagles had agreed to a deal with oft-injured former San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. That seemed to fall apart mid-afternoon on Thursday, as Mathews never actually signed his deal, per CSN Philly's Geoff Mosher, leaving the door open for another free-agent back, former Dallas Cowboy DeMarco Murray.

Murray was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 after leading the league in rushing, but he hit the open market after Dallas decided to place its franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant.

So it is, just about a week after Kelly shocked the world by trading away one of the league’s best running backs, he has replaced him with another elite back who might fit his system well.

We won’t know until the start of the season whether any of these will work out for an almost unrecognizable Eagles team, but in the short term Kelly is keeping the league on its toes, and you never know what move he is going to make next.

Adrian Peterson Leaving Minnesota, Potentially Heading to the Dallas Cowboys?

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With the departure of Murray, that leaves Dallas in need of its next top running back as well, and despite talk that the team could use its No. 27 overall pick to select Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley, per David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, it appears there is now another route open.

One of the all-time great running backs in the league, the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson, had a 2014 to forget, only playing one game before being suspended by the Vikings in the midst of child-abuse allegations.

It has been publicized that Peterson’s relationship with the Vikings has soured, and after a couple of meetings with ownership, as reported by Tom Pelissero of USA Today, his future with the franchise is in serious doubt.

Although Peterson isn’t a free agent this year, a trade sending the former MVP back to his home state of Texas to join the Cowboys wouldn’t be a shock to anybody.

Even if his return isn’t as amazing as his 2012 season, coming off of ACL and MCL injuries, Peterson at 80 percent of what he was before last year’s suspension is probably one of the three-best backs in the NFL.

Dallas quarterback Tony Romo isn’t getting any younger, and the Cowboys’ window with their current roster is slowly closing. Bringing in Peterson could be a move that pushes Dallas into the shortlist of favorites to win next season’s Super Bowl.

Where Will Derrick Morgan End Up?

James Kenney/Associated Press

In what started out as one of the best free-agent years for pass-rushers in recent memory, things have quickly gotten away from the teams still looking for help.

With most of the big names already being snatched up, perhaps the best option for people who need a pass-rusher is Derrick Morgan.

The defensive end/outside linebacker spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, and while he still might re-sign in Tennessee, there are a number of teams interested in adding his talents to their roster.

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Morgan has taken a visit with the Atlanta Falcons and that the Cowboys are also interested, and Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin noted Morgan recently met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky notes the Titans are still interested in signing him.

While not the biggest name left, Morgan can make a difference on most defenses and will likely start a bidding war between the teams because of the lack of quality pass-rushers remaining on the market.