Chris Johnson, Ronnie Hillman among new free agent running backs

Stevan Ridley

Last Team: Denver Broncos
Last Year: 3 carries, 7 yards, 0 touchdown, 2.3 yards/carry

Stevan Ridley didn’t last long with the Denver Broncos this preseason, and that’s a recurring theme for Ridley ever since he left the New England Patriots after the 2014 season. Since his days with the Pats, Ridley has failed to find a new home for longer than a single season with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and now the Broncos.

Injuries have definitely hurt Ridley in the past, and the Broncos did have a pretty full backfield with the signing of Jamaal Charles and the emergence of sixth round rookie De’Angelo Henderson. That’s on Ridley to a large degree, but there’s no denying that he’s flashed some strong running ability in the past, especially with a nose for the end zone. He had 22 rushing touchdowns for the Patriots in 4 seasons.

Chiefs interest? Ridley is unlikely, as are all of these players, but there’s a bit more potential here because Ridley is a bruiser of a back at 230 pounds. He averaged 4.3 yards/carry during his four years with New England and that even includes a very disappointing final season under Bill Belichick. If Ridley could find the fountain of youth, a la C.J. Spiller, he could once again move the chains. Still this is far-fetched.