Marcus Murphy

Murphy spent the first 15 games of 2017 on the practice squad, but he was activated for Week 17 and used immediately when LeSean McCoy injured his ankle. He rushed seven times for 41 yards (5.9 YPC) and caught two passes for seven yards. It was a solid showing for Murphy, albeit a small sample size. He'll take a backseat role again in 2018 with McCoy as the starter and Chris Ivory as the backup.

Murphy, the Saints' seventh round draft pick in 2015, excelled as a return specialist in his rookie season, averaging 25 yards per kickoff return and nearly 10 yards per punt return, but an ankle injury ended his season in mid-December. At 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, the pint-sized Murphy is unlikely to contribute much in standard scoring leagues – he had only one carry and did not catch a pass all last year – but he may have some value in leagues that reward return yardage. Murphy's role, however, is not guaranteed, as he will need to hold off former Saints return man Travaris Cadet and 2015 seventh-round pick Daniel Lasco for a roster spot.

Murphy was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. At 5-foot-8, 193 pounds, Murphy is pint-sized, but he showed game-breaking ability as a runner, receiver, and kick returner. In his senior season at Missouri, Murphy finished 2014 with 177 rushing attempts for 924 yards and four touchdowns while adding 28 receptions for 212 yards and a score and returning three punts/kicks to the house. Still, he ran a disappointing 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Even though the Saints lost their incumbent kickoff returner (Travaris Cadet) in free agency, Murphy faces an uphill battle for a roster spot, with Jalen Saunders and Brandin Cooks capable of returning kicks and Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, and CJ Spiller holding down the fort at running back.