The NFL free agency period will begin on March 13 at 4:00 PM New York time. There are numerous top-quality running backs about to hit the market. With the 2024 running back draft class not strong, these running backs will be in high demand. Let’s look at the top 10 free-agent running backs with their 2023 teams in parentheses.
1 – Saquon Barkley (New York Giants)
Barkley was disgruntled with the Giants and held out briefly before returning to play this past season on a Giants team that simply couldn’t compete most weeks. He averaged under four yards per carry and finished with 962 yards and six touchdowns.
While he is still a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball, Barkley has been sidelined for extended periods due to injuries three seasons since 2020. He remains a versatile back who is excellent in receiving as noted by his 288 career receptions.
An intriguing landing spot would be Philadelphia since Barkley is a Pennsylvania native who played at Penn State. However, the best landing spots would be the Cowboys or the Texans, both in danger of losing their 2023 starting running backs in Tony Pollard and Devin Singletary.
2 – Josh Jacobs (Los Vegas Raiders)
Jacobs won the rushing title in 2022 after exploding for 1653 on nearly five yards per carry. He was limited to 13 games in 2023 and his production was half of the previous season, totalling a mere 805 yards on a dreadful 3.5 per carry. On the positive, he did well in the five games he played under Antonio Pierce before going down for the final four games due to injury.
Jacobs has three 1000-plus yard rushing seasons under his belt and is only 26 years old. Despite coming off an injury, he should be good to go with no lingering affects and be one of the top running backs in the league this season.
Among good fits for Jacobs include Packers, who could lose A.J. Dillon in free agency, and the Bengals, who were second from the bottom in the NFL in rushing yards and third from the bottom in attempts.
3 – Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans)
Henry remains one of the best runners after contact in the NFL despite finishing his 8th NFL season in 2023. He has become more involved in the passing game while still capable of rushing for over 1000 yards in a season.
Henry is likely not to put up numbers as he did in his prime years of 2019 and 2020 where he could take it to the house any time he carried the ball. He is still a powerful runner who can damage defenders on his way to ten-plus rushing touchdowns a season.
With Baltimore about to lose J.K. Dobbins in free agency, Henry would be a great fit in the run-oriented attack led by Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Another possible landing spot is Minnesota, whose top rusher was Alexander Mattison, who gained only 700 yards in 2023.
4 – Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers)
Ekeler was unhappy from the get-go before the 2023 season. In fact, he requested a trade when he knew the Chargers weren’t going to offer him a contract extension. He did not look like the same player who combined for over 3200 yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons. Ekeler’s speed and overall production decreased to 628 yards on ground.
While Ekeler is not the back he was, he is still crafty in the open field and finds ways to get open in the passing game. There are several teams that could use overall help at running back, including Tampa Bay, Seattle, and New England. A great fit would be a team in need of a veteran presence, such as the Commanders and Panthers, who just also happened to be among the worst teams in the NFL.
5 – Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys)
Pollard was the focus back in Dallas with Ezekiel Elliott playing in New England. Although he rushed for over 1000 yards for the second straight season, his yards per carry and yards per reception were both significantly lower as the featured back. He failed to produce the explosive plays that were more common in 2022.
Pollard will be entering his 6th NFL season in 2024 but doesn’t have the wear and tear on his body having played behind Elliott for much of his career. A great landing spot for Pollard would be Houston, who is about to lose Devin Singletary. Philadelphia has also been a team that could have interest, depending on what happens to D’Andre Swift, also on the free agent market.
6 – J.K. Dobbins (Baltimore Ravens)
Dobbins is a very intriguing player but also the highest risk of the free-agent backs. He missed all but one game this season due to injury and missed the entire 2021 season with injury. He’s only played in 24 career games since being drafted out of Ohio State in 2020.
When healthy, Dobbins is an explosive back, averaging nearly six yards per carry for his career. Dobbins is still only 25 years old and should have plenty of productive seasons ahead if he can stay on the field. He would be an excellent replacement for Austin Ekeler in Los Angeles. Dobbins would also likely thrive in Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts running the offense.
7 – D’Andre Swift (Philadelphia Eagles)
Swift enjoyed his best NFL season after fulfilling a dream to play for his hometown Philadelphia Eagles. After a roller-coaster ride in Detroit, Swift made the most of a great offensive line, rushing for over 1000 yards for the first time in his career.
Swift doesn’t have the power to run through contact and isn’t the best between the tackles, however, he is quick with good breakaway speed. He is also solid out of the backfield in the passing game.
If the Eagles don’t resign Swift, look for the Ravens or the Giants to be great fits, replacing either J.K. Dobbins or Saquon Barkley, who are similar backs in nature to Swift.
8 – A.J. Dillon (Green Bay Packers)
Dillon and Aaron Jones shared the load in the backfield in Green Bay. Dillon averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per carry on 613 yards, his lowest total since his rookie season. After receiving 80 targets in 2021 and 2022, Dillon was targeted only 28 times in the passing game in 2023. With his workload decreasing, all signs are the Dillon will not be back in Green Bay in 2024.
At 25 years old and only 597 carries over his first four NFL seasons, Dillon should still be fresh and be capable of the workload of a number-one back. New York is a team in need after likely losing Saquon Barkley. Perhaps a team like the Commanders, Vikings, or Panthers in dire need of a number one would be on Dillon’s list.
9 – Zack Moss (Indianapolis Colts)
Moss set career-highs in yards rushing and receiving in his first full season with the Colts. He rushed for 794 yards and had seven total touchdowns. He was used sparingly over his first three NFL seasons, carrying the ball only 301 times, while playing 31 games for the Bills and five with the Colts. Spending his entire career in the AFC, the best landing spots for Moss include the Ravens, who are likely to lose J.K. Dobbins, and New England, who could lose Ezekiel Elliott in the free agency period.
10 – Devin Singletary (Houston Texans)
After four seasons in Buffalo, Singletary set career highs in attempts and yards, while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Although not a big maker, Singletary is powerful for his size (5’ 7”, 203 pounds) and is dependable and durable. At 26-years old, Singletary is entering his prime and will likely be looking for a long-term contract and big payday. Several times that likely will show interest are the Packers, Cowboys, Vikings, and Giants. Should Singletary sign with one of those teams, he will look to wreak havoc in the NFC for the first time in his career.
