Clinton Portis: 5 NFL Teams in Need of RBs That Could Give Portis a Call

Clinton Portis is jobless for the first time in his NFL career. He was released in February due to failed contract negotiations with the Washington Redskins and stated he felt that the team lacked direction since the retirement of former coach Joe Gibbs.

Portis had not had a productive season since 2008, when he started all 16 games and ran 342 times for 1,487 yards and nine TDs. He made his first All-Pro team and second Pro Bowl this year but spent the better part of the next two seasons battling concussions as well as abdomen and groin injuries.

I believe that Portis still has something left in the tank. The former star RB at "The U" is only 29 years old and has immense talent and skill. He is a very good pass blocker and could be a third-down back for a number of teams.

With guys like 34-year-old RB Sammy Morris getting contracts and 36-year-old, five-years-retired Tiki Barber garnering workouts and interest from teams, it would be crazy not to see a star like Clinton Portis back on the football field next season.

Let’s take a look at five teams who could use the former Washington Redskin All-Pro running back.

5. Seattle Seahawks

This one is a bit of a long shot. The team currently has Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Leon Washington on the roster at running back.

The interesting wrinkle here is that Portis’ cousin, Josh Portis, is competing for a QB roster spot here and has been impressive in training camp. Perhaps Pete Caroll would be interested in pairing the two talented relatives.

Forsett and Washington have been much less than stellar in camp and over the past few seasons, and one could possibly be expendable if they have a poor preseason.

A veteran like Portis, who has proven to be one of the elite NFL running backs when healthy, could really help a young team like the Seahawks win a weak division like the NFC West once again.

4. San Diego Chargers

Clinton Portis mentioned that he would love to play with Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers in an interview with ESPN 980.

The team lost Darren Sproles to the New Orleans Saints this offseason and could use a third solid back behind Ryan Matthews and Mike Tolbert.

They have rookie Jordan Todman listed right now, but grooming him for a year behind Portis would be ideal.

Portis is still one of the better pass protecting RBs in the league and giving a couple snaps a game to the very talented player would be helpful for everyone in the Charger platoon.

The Chargers would be smart to grab Portis on the cheap to help out their run game and add a veteran insurance policy. 

3. New York Giants

While the Giants currently employ Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw as their running back platoon, Clinton Portis has expressed desire to play with this team.

The team is in the same division, the NFC East, as the Washington Redskins, the team that cut him.

Portis, speaking to Sirius XM, said of this,

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“To go to the Giants and get to play the Redskins twice a year after them feeling I wasn't capable anymore, I think that would be outstanding”

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Portis also said during the interview that he took the lockout time to get recover, get healthy and train. Portis said he is feeling great and should be completely healed soon.

The Giants could do worse than taking a flier on Portis as a situational RB and insurance incase one of their two main guys goes down. He won’t cost much, and he will certainly want to help them beat the Redskins.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost Cadillac Williams to the St. Louis Rams this offseason and have no depth whatsoever behind breakout rookie LeGarette Blount.

A man named Kregg Lumpkin is listed as second on the depth chart that was just released yesterday. Lumpkin played in one game for the 2008 Green Bay Packers recording one carry and three receptions. He was cut and then received one carry and one reception in the Buccaneers offense last season.

Simply put, their isn’t much we know about Lumpkin besides he is an undrafted free agent and went a full season between playing on an NFL football field. The team needs to get a solid veteran presence in there to help Blount continue to learn the game and back him up.

Portis would be a good fit with his pass blocking skills and ability to spell Blount for stretches. He is much more proven than Lumpkin and would most likely cost the same amount of money to sign for a year.

1. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins released their depth chart yesterday and Reggie Bush is their clear-cut No. 1 running back.

Listed behind Bush is rookie Daniel Thomas, a late second round pick in this years draft out of Kansas State. Behind him is Lex Hilliard, a three-year veteran with 23 carries under his belt.

It is obvious that the team does not have much depth beyond Bush and an unproven rookie at running back. They lost their stalwart tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to free agency this offseason and have decided to go in a different direction.

The Dolphins took a chance on Ricky Williams after his exile from the NFL and clearly have proven that a big risk can be a big reward. Williams suffered from a number of maladies and injuries while he was expelled from the league but came back to greatly help the team for a number of years.

Portis has a shot to come in and contribute to the Miami Dolphins and give them a much-needed veteran presence at his position.