There are currently 47 running backs set to hit the free agency market. That’s a lot of ball-carriers who will be looking for a home this offseason. Some of the 47 may not even get a contract. LeSean McCoy looked cooked for the Chiefs and was a healthy scratch. Adrian Peterson had a good year for someone his age, but that’s the key, someone his age. He has a ton of miles on his legs. Lamar Miller just missed the list but that’s because it feels like he’s never lived up to expectations and is injured a lot. So let’s get to the nine backs who made the list. The first running back is obvious.
Derrick Henry
Anyone who watched Henry run during the playoffs knows that he is best back hitting the market. He might not even hit the market. Even if the Titans franchise tag Ryan Tannehill, they can transition tag Derrick Henry thanks to a clause in the final year of the CBA. Henry had 1540 yards and 16 touchdowns in the regular season. He was the focal point of the Titans offense and the key to their effective play-action passing game. The only concern would be that the Titans ran him into the ground a la Dallas and DeMarco Murray.
Melvin Gordon
After last season, maybe Gordon’s teammate — we’ll get to Austin Ekeler — should rank ahead of him on this list, but Gordon is a more traditional back and some team will pay him more than Ekeler just because of that. Gordon had his worst year since his rookie season, and that’s even with his averages since he sat out a few games to start the season. Still, he’s a three-down back and that’s valued in the NFL.
Austin Ekeler
Based on sheer numbers, Ekeler was more productive than Melvin Gordon. His stature can throw you off. He’s a strong runner but is mostly used in the passing game. Even when Gordon was out, he still split some touches with Justin Jackson. Ekeler is the perfect satellite back because he can play all three downs if needed and is a great chance of pace back if he’s splitting time.
Damien Williams
Williams might not even be a free agent because Kansas City actually holds a club option. The problem is that the Chiefs have to figure out a way to pay Chris Jones and need to start discussing a Patrick Mahomes extension. That means they need to squeeze every dollar out of their roster and Williams could end up expendable.
Williams is a speedy back who showed flashes in Miami, but flourished in the Chiefs’ attack. Of course, a lot of running backs have done well in that attack so scheme must be taken into account. With the proliferation of spread attacks, Williams should make some team and fanbase very happy.
Kareem Hunt
Hunt barely played this year and he was stuck behind Nick Chubb who might be one of the best running backs in the NFL. We all know the issues with Hunt, but he’s talented. Teams always make space for talented players even if they have some issues in their history.
Before Hunt ended up in Cleveland he was a key weapon for the Chiefs. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He was a better Damien Williams. Expect Hunt to get a short-term prove-it deal for a team that has an established back in case Hunt doesn’t work out.
Kenyan Drake
Drake averaged 3.7 yards per carry in Miami. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in Arizona. That’s a slight difference, and there’s the risk with Drake. The Cardinals offensive scheme made a lot of running backs look good — remember Chase Edmonds ruining someone’s fantasy season? — and Drake was no different.
Someone is going to pay for the Arizona version of Drake. The hope is he isn’t closer to the Miami version in reality.
Matt Breida
A lot of fantasy experts expected Matt Breida to be the most productive back in San Francisco. That honor went to Raheem Mostert. Breida couldn’t stay healthy and never claimed that top spot in the backfield.
There are some flashes of talent when he is on the field. His career yards per attempt is 5 yards. That’s not shabby. He’s not much of a receiver out the backfield. He’s a great second option.
Gus Edwards
Edwards is a big back who might deserve a shot at being a primary ball-carrier. He has averaged 5.3 yards per attempt in his career. He’s racked up over 700 yards each season being what is essentially a full-time backup. Some of his numbers are due to Baltimore’s amazing rush-offense but players still need to execute. Edwards has only been in the league two years and is 24 years old.
Carlos Hyde
Hyde is going to be the new Frank Gore. Just when you think his career his over, he has a resurgence and shows he still has something left in the tank. Gore was obviously more consistent, but it feels like Hyde is going to hang around.
He was essentially traded for a bag of footballs. The Texans needed a running back due to injuries and all Hyde did was end up with 1070 yards on the ground, and six touchdowns. e
