NFL Notes: Cowboys, Saints, & Vikings

Cowboys

  • While the Cowboys are likely to say that they plan to use multiple running backs this season, Todd Archer expects that they will eventually settle on a lead back with first-round pick Ezekiel Elliott likely handling the top role.
  • If Elliott is able to run with the opportunity, Archer isn’t sure that either Darren McFadden or Alfred Morris will reach 100 carries this season.
    Archer adds that this could lead to the Cowboys at least consider potential trade options for one of their running backs towards end of the preseason.
  • With Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence out of the lineup to begin the year, Archer projections Tyrone Crawford and Cedric Thornton to be the Cowboys’ starting defensive tackles and Benson Mayowa and David Irving handling the defensive end positions.
  • In regards to a potential Ronald Leary trade, Archer doesn’t think the odds are very high he’ll be dealt. Archer adds that trade talks may not heat up until the start of training camp.

Saints

Saints second-year LB Stephone Anthony admitted that free agent acquisition James Laurinaitis is already the “alpha dog” of the team’s defense.

“It kind of makes my job easier. So I’m enjoying it,” Anthony said, via Mike Triplett of ESPN. “It’s gonna show the different things I can do. So I’m gonna have some fun with it and make the best of it.”

Vikings

  • Ben Goessling of ESPN writes that DT Sharrif Floyd missing practice time this week is a bit of a concern, even though the Vikings expect him to be back for training camp. In the end, Goessling believes Floyd’s ability to secure a long-term contract from the league will hinge largely on his productivity in 2016 and ability to stay healthy.
  • Goessling expects first-round WR Laquon Treadwell to get an opportunity to lock up the starting split-end spot this summer.
  • However, former first-round CB Trae Waynes will need to supplant veteran Terence Newman in order to secure a starting role.
  • If Cordarrelle Patterson were to put together an impressive year on the receiving end in 2016, Goessling believes Minnesota would have to at least consider signing him to an extension. Even so, Goessling admits that this would be an interesting negotiation, considering that there may not be much of a contractual precedent for Patterson.

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