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RB Kenyan Drake, Retired (5 Viewers)

It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals re-sign him with so much money at the position already tied up in DJ.

Some team may throw him some more money than what the Cards may offer.
Jeez I hope he can stay in Arizona, this offense is perfect for him.

I take it they can't cut DJ?

 
Jeez I hope he can stay in Arizona, this offense is perfect for him.

I take it they can't cut DJ?
It depends how much NFL teams value real physical cash compared to cap space.

I'm sure they value the latter higher, but I don't know if the former holds any value or not, because that's the only thing they'd save in cutting DJ.  From a cap perspective it's actually slightly MORE expensive to cut him this year than to keep him this year.  In terms of actual cash they would save about $7m this year and be off the hook for the $12m from next year they are currently scheduled to pay him.

 
It depends how much NFL teams value real physical cash compared to cap space.

I'm sure they value the latter higher, but I don't know if the former holds any value or not, because that's the only thing they'd save in cutting DJ.  From a cap perspective it's actually slightly MORE expensive to cut him this year than to keep him this year.  In terms of actual cash they would save about $7m this year and be off the hook for the $12m from next year they are currently scheduled to pay him.
I was reading the spotstrac but couldn't make any sense of it; other than the obvious that the Cardinals paid way too much for DJ. What a bad contract.

From how you describe it, it sounds like an actual possibility this is Drake's backfield next year. That would be good. Not guaranteed though, of course.

 
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Kenyan Drake rushed 24 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals' Week 16 win over the Seahawks, adding three receptions for 18 additional yards.

Drake continued his hot streak, gashing the Seahawks consistently throughout the game. His 80-yard touchdown was untouched and highlighted the mid-season addition's breakaway speed, but Drake also showed off a lethal stiff arm and the ability to pick up consistent yardage between the tackles. David Johnson was utilized sparingly. This is Drake’s backfield. The absence of Kyler Murray (hamstring) would lower the ceiling here, but Drake can be treated as a low-end RB1 either way ahead of next week’s matchup against the Rams.
Adam Gase is a moron.

 
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Cardinals want to keep free agent Kenyan Drake and that the franchise tag is an option.

There are a lot of moving parts in the Cardinals backfield. First, there's David Johnson and his massive contract that essentially makes him impossible to cut. Rapoport notes Arizona could trade Johnson and one of their own draft picks to get DJ off their salary cap. That would make some sense, especially if a team like the Dolphins who have a ton of cap space is interested. As for Drake, it sounds like the Cardinals will do everything they can to keep him. Re-signing him to a long-term deal seems most likely, but using a franchise tag on him is a possibility, too. If Drake has the backfield to himself, he'll flirt with RB1 numbers in 2020.

RELATED: 

David Johnson

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Feb 14, 2020, 2:11 PM ET

 
How could they franchise tag Drake and pay DJ? Doesn’t seem possible and they’re stuck with DJ.

 
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"He's certainly a guy we would like to have back but again not sure what the market is going to do," Keim said.

...

Kingsbury praised the work of Edmonds and Johnson before each suffered their injuries – forcing the Drake acquisition – and said the Cardinals would be OK even if Drake did not return.

"Chase and David are both tremendous backs with unique skillsets which we will definitely be able to maximize," Kingsbury said.

...

Given Johnson's contract situation, having him remain in Arizona might be the best option even if Drake stays.

"He's a guy who's shown he can do it," Keim said. "I think because of the success that Kenyan had, because of the success Chase had"
I may be reading this with Edmonds-colored glasses, but it sounds a LOT like they aren't going to stick their neck out to sign Drake when they've already got two proven guys under contract and significant needs elsewhere

 
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports free agent Kenyan Drake is seeking $8-$10 million annually.

That would be top-five money. Drake has never shown more than flashes outside of an eight-game stretch with the Cardinals, but teams may be willing to overpay for a 26-year-old coming off career highs. The Cardinals can franchise Drake, but his long-term demands may price him out of Arizona.

SOURCE: CBS Sports

Feb 28, 2020, 7:10 PM ET

 
I hope the Cardinals can work this out and that Drake has realistic expectations.  But I guess there's no reason why he shouldn't take advantage of getting out of Miami and showcasing his talent and try to parlay it into a big contract from someone.

 
Depends how much the other team was willing to pay.   And I can tell you right now Tampa would trade for DJ in a second.  And Tampa has the cap room. 
David Johnson is due $11.1 million this year and $2.1 million of his 2021 salary guarantees on 3/20/20.  No team in the league would be interested at even half of that price.  The only way a team will trade for him is if the Cardinals pay a significant portion of his 2020 salary or they trade a high draft pick along with him like the Texans did with Brock Osweiler.

 
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David Johnson is due $11.1 million this year and $2.1 million of his 2021 salary guarantees on 3/20/20.  No team in the league would be interested at even half of that price.  The only way a team will trade for him is if the Cardinals pay a significant portion of his 2020 salary or they trade a high draft pick along with him like the Texans did with Brock Osweiler.
This would be silly for them to do. It's one or the other. Either a team like Tampa gets a high 2nd or 3rd as compensation to take a player who, honestly, looked ok but not great before dealing with injury or AZ absorbs half the salary and maybe sends a 6th with him. The Cards shouldn't do anything more than that, they have middling cap space and they are a losing team. They can afford to eat DJ's salary this year because they aren't going anywhere anyway. Next year might be a different story but then they can cut him.

But they can't let Drake go. He was too good in their offense. Having a player like that, who is obviously perfect in your offense, is such a boon for your QB's growth and development. They would be absolute fools to let him leave.

 
But they can't let Drake go. He was too good in their offense. Having a player like that, who is obviously perfect in your offense, is such a boon for your QB's growth and development. They would be absolute fools to let him leave.
How was he any different from what Chase Edwards did while he was healthy?  And Edwards is still under contract.

 
He had a string of games where he was very fantasy relevant, all 15 points or more.

Week 5 - 8/68/1, 3/18/0

Week 6 - 5/34/0, 2/33/1

Week 7 - 27/126/3, 2/24/0

 Then he got hurt and Drake was signed.
Ah, I was talking from a football perspective, though Week Five's YPC looks just fine.  I do remember a several week blow-up, but the Giants game was the culmination. Edmonds was impressive as a back, so I get what the GM is saying about him from his comments about the Johnson and Edmonds situation. I tend to agree with you also that with those two already on the roster as almost givens that it becomes tough to see Drake at about 10-11 million dollars per year. 

 
Right, and I wonder how much of what we think of Drake is just recency bias.  He had a great first game and then completely disappeared for a combined total of 50/170/0, 17/69/0 from Weeks 10 through 14. 

The fireworks in Weeks 15 and 16 make us all salivate, but I think the reality is somewhere in between.

 
I don't think anyone will dispute that Drake looked really good last year, but he also looked good a few years ago with Miami.

Granted, you have the Gase factor in that he didn't/doesn't know how to utilize his talent, but it also stands to reason that Drake may not be able to be nearly that productive over the course of a full season. If Arizona pays up for him, it could result in buyer's remorse.

As someone else said, why not give Edmonds a shot at a fraction of the price. You still have DJ there in case he finds his game again.

 
The Athletic's Chris Burke considers free agent Kenyan Drake an "obvious one to watch" for the Lions.

As Burke reminds, the Lions were one of the teams interested in Drake ahead of last season's trade deadline. The Cardinals seem to genuinely want to keep Drake, though CBS' Jason La Canfora reports he is seeking $8-$10 million annually. That would probably be too steep for a team already giving massive money to David Johnson. Drake would be a somewhat odd fit in Detroit, where Kerryon Johnson has shown flashes but had trouble staying healthy. It would not be the three-down role Drake is probably looking for, but money is obviously No. 1.

RELATED: 

Detroit Lions

SOURCE: Chris Burke on Twitter

Mar 5, 2020, 2:27 PM ET

 
Interesting that there is no talk of Drake to KC.  Seems like he would be a really good fit there, though I guess they are a bit strapped for cash.

 
Interesting in that only gives them the right to match any offer - but they get nothing if they don't match. I think this means its more likely he's gone.

 
Dr. Octopus said:
Interesting in that only gives them the right to match any offer - but they get nothing if they don't match. I think this means its more likely he's gone.
I think it means the Cardinals think he is pricing himself out of the market so they are going to let other teams tell Drake what the market is.   This way they don’t have to do any negotiating.  

 
I think it means the Cardinals think he is pricing himself out of the market so they are going to let other teams tell Drake what the market is.   This way they don’t have to do any negotiating.  
Unless they trade DJ - which it looks like they're trying to, but it will be tough - they likely can't afford to match a legit offer.

 
Rotoworld take:

Cardinals placed transition tag on RB Kenyan Drake.

The transition tag guarantees the Cardinals the right of first refusal to match any offer the player may make with another team. Drake is expected to earn around $8.5 million. The move will almost assuredly keep Drake in Arizona for the 2020 season. He was nothing short of spectacular after being traded from Miami halfway through the 2019 season, racking up 814 total yards and eight scores in just eight games with the Cardinals. Drake is fully expected to work ahead of David Johnson next season, although it wouldn't be surprising to see a committee of some sorts.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mar 16, 2020, 11:24 AM ET

 
Seems like a smart business move for the Cards...it appears obvious they want to keep him but if Drake's demands are true that seems a bit too much for him...also, David Johnson and his contract hang over this and this gives them a little more time to deal with that...this allows the Cards to control this situation...if Drake finds a tepid market they can keep him at a more reasonable contract...if someone does step up with a big offer they still get final say on what they want to do...hopefully this gets resolved as Drake appears to be a perfect fit in a Kingsbury offense.

 
Rotoworld take:

Cardinals re-signed RB Kenyan Drake to a one-year, $8.483 million contract. 

Drake is no longer eligible to sign an offer sheet with another team. Drake was believed to be gunning for as much as $10 million annually on a multi-year deal, but the reality is, $8.5 million for one season is a great outcome for a running back in 2020. With David Johnson unloaded to the Texans — in exchange for DeAndre Hopkins, lol — Drake's 2019 stranglehold on lead-back duties will carry over to the new year. Running in a high-octane, well-designed rushing attack, three-down talent Drake will definitely flirt with RB1 status.   

SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter 

Mar 26, 2020, 2:02 PM ET

 
Paying Drake almost $2 mil less than they would have Johnson for 2020.

Remains to be seen how Drake can hold up as the guy for a full season but Johnson was a distant 3rd as a runner IMO amongst Drake/Edmonds. Both are the latter 2 are solid enough receiving options out of the backfield to negate that difference between them/Johnson. I think they could grab a short yardage/goalline back as well for gamedays with Edmonds ability to also play ST.

Still in amazement Keim was able to pull this off. After being just dreadful to watch the past several years, they were much more watchable with the offense in 2019. And now add arguably the best WR in the league in his prime.

 
I'm starting to think Drake has more dynasty value than a guy like Fournette. Drake is in a better fantasy offense and should stay on the field in passing situations. I think Gruden will utilize a true 3rd down receiving RB for much of passing situations.

 
he's an interesting case going into the year...he's going to go early and he's pretty much a 50/50 candidate for boom/bust

 
Doing some best balls... and keep on taking Kenyan Drake over guys like Chubb, Jacobs, Aaron Jones, Ekeler... dumb or? 

 

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