Titans acquire running back DeMarco Murray for almost nothing in trade

The Colts' three rivals in the AFC South continue to make moves, and the Tennessee Titans have added a running back to pair with quarterback Marcus Mariota.  The Titans acquired DeMarco Murray from the Philadelphia Eagles for almost nothing, as the price was simply swapping fourth round picks (the Eagles gain 13 spots).

Of course, the real price that the Titans pay is taking on Murray's contract.  Last offseason, the running back signed a five year, $40 million deal with the Eagles, a deal that will pay him $7 million this season.  The Eagles are clearly trying to move on from Chip Kelly's moves, which is why they were willing to give Murray away practically for free to a team that would take his salary.

Normally, trading for running backs doesn't work out nor make sense in the NFL (see: the Colts and Trent Richardson), but this is a good move for the Titans.  They get a player who was the league's leading rusher just two seasons ago and only give up 13 draft spots in the fourth round to do so.  And, while the contract is a lot, if Murray doesn't work out the Titans can get out of the contract in 2017 by saving money.  In other words, there's little risk involved with this move, while there is a decent upside.

Murray rushed for over 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons with the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 and 2014, including a league-high 1,845 yards in the 2014 season.  He then left for the Eagles in free agency, but last year he had a very rough year in Kelly's offense, rushing for 702 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry.  The Eagles were looking to get rid of him this offseason, and the Titans were the beneficiary.  Paired with Marcus Mariota in the Titans' backfield, it will be interesting to see whether Murray can get things figured out and return to his 2013 and 2014 form.  Either way, however, this appears to be a good move by Tennessee.