All 32 NFL groups have now turned their consideration to the offseason, and free company offers a fantastic alternative for them to enhance their rosters. Sure, it is not as necessary because the draft, however choosing up a confirmed star is all the time thrilling.
Running again might be the one place that does not reset the market each offseason. We’ll see when somebody approaches Christian McCaffrey’s numbers once more. It’s true the NFL has develop into a passing league, however a dual-threat working again can change all the things in your offense, and this class options a number of studs. Below, we’ll break down 10 of the highest working backs on the lookout for new offers within the coming months.
Just 11 months in the past, Barkley was reportedly value a fourth-round decide on the commerce market. Well, he is value much more now. Barkley reminded the NFL world this previous season that he is among the best working backs within the league by dashing for a career-high 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. He caught 57 passes for 338 yards as properly.
Barkley was an enormous purpose why the Giants returned to the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Under first-year head coach Brian Daboll, Daniel Jones and Barkley fashioned a little bit of a dynamic duo, as each helped the Giants rack up 2,519 dashing yards, which set a single-season franchise file. The Giants could be good to run it again with Barkley, and common supervisor Joe Schoen has already admitted he is a participant they wish to have again.
Projected AAV: $12.3 million, sixth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Jacobs picked the very best time to have a profession 12 months. After the Raiders declined his fifth-year choice, Jacobs led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,053, and scored 12 whole touchdowns. If you are questioning what his probabilities of returning to the Raiders are, he mentioned throughout Super Bowl week that he could be high quality taking part in on the franchise tag if the Raiders added important offensive assist, and that if the Raiders acquired somebody like Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it could “change numerous dynamics” together with his personal future.
Jacobs proved this previous season that he will be among the best working backs within the NFL, and he simply turned 25. If the Raiders do not need to pony up the dough, another person will.
Projected AAV: $12.8 million, 4th amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Pollard is one other working again who had a profession 12 months when it mattered most. The Cowboy picked up Pro Bowl honors this season after racking up a career-high 1,378 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns, and flashed his versatility as an offensive weapon. In 2022, the Cowboys averaged 5.7 yards per play with Pollard on the sector. As for Ezekiel Elliott? 5.0 yards per play. Pollard additionally led all working backs this 12 months in yard per contact (5.9).
One of the daring predictions I made for the offseason was Pollard being the preferred again in free company if he would not get franchise-tagged.
Projected AAV: $9 million, ninth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Sanders racked up a career-high 1,347 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns in 2022, because the Eagles made all of it the way in which to Super Bowl LVII. He rushed for 90 yards towards the Giants within the divisional spherical, after which 42 yards and two touchdowns within the NFC Championship recreation earlier than managing simply 16 dashing yards within the Super Bowl.
The former No. 53 general pick of Penn State earned Pro Bowl honors for the primary time this previous season. He’s averaged 65.1 dashing yards per recreation since getting into the league, and rushed for a career-high 74.6 yards per recreation in 2022.
Projected AAV: $7.2 million, Tenth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Montgomery has rushed for a minimum of 800 yards in every of his 4 seasons with the Bears, and now he has the chance to hit the open market. The Bears had the No. 1 dashing offense within the league this previous season (177.3 yards per recreation), though that was largely on account of Justin Fields. The quarterback rushed for 1,143 yards, whereas Montgomery got here in behind him with 801. While he might not be seen as the highest again in free company, Montgomery is a tricky runner who will appeal to curiosity. It’s additionally value mentioning that the Bears have sufficient monetary sources to maintain him within the fold.
Projected AAV: $7.2 million, Tenth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Hunt recorded simply 678 yards from scrimmage and 4 whole touchdowns in 2022, and might be taking part in for a distinct group in 2023. The 27-year-old wished an extension final offseason, did not get it after which was reportedly concerned in commerce talks — however in the end not dealt.
Maybe Hunt may seek for a group the place he could be the No. 1 again. In his first full season with the Browns again in 2020, Hunt recorded 1,145 yards from scrimmage and 11 whole touchdowns. He has loads of ball left.
Projected AAV: $7 million, T-Tenth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Harris performed in simply 11 video games in 2022, and recorded 559 yards from scrimmage and three whole touchdowns whereas Rhamondre Stevenson took over the Patriots’ backfield. Just a 12 months in the past, Harris recorded his first 1,000-yard season and scored 15 whole touchdowns. The former third-round pick of Alabama has been productive when wholesome, however accidents have induced him to overlook a number of video games in all 4 of his seasons.
Projected AAV: $7.1 million,Tenth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
One of probably the most fascinating gamers within the NFL. The veteran Williams is coming off of a profession 12 months through which he recorded his first 1,000-yard dashing season, and led the NFL with 17 dashing touchdowns. Williams is not thought-about to be one of many prime backs in free company, however he is a sturdy, dependable participant who can be a frontrunner within the locker room. I can see him remaining in Detroit. It appears like Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson actually recognize him.
Projected AAV: $4.1 million, T-18th amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
The working again place is probably going one the Bills might be seeking to improve this offseason, and meaning Singletary might be gone. The Florida Atlantic product crossed 1,000 scrimmage yards for the second straight season and added six whole touchdowns in 2022. In 61 profession video games for the Bills, Singletary has recorded 3,151 dashing yards and 16 whole touchdowns. Keep in thoughts the Bills drafted James Cook final offseason and traded for Nyheim Hines in November.
Projected AAV: $5.5 million, seventeenth amongst RBs (by way of Spotrac)
Here’s an fascinating one. Sure, Rashaad Penny’s title could have develop into synonymous with injured reserve, however I believe he is properly value a glance. Apart from quite a few accidents, the previous first-round decide can be recognized for happening tears.
Take the tip of the 2021 season, for instance. Penny rushed for 135 yards and one landing towards the Bears, 170 yards and two touchdowns towards the Lions after which 190 yards and one landing towards the Arizona Cardinals in back-to-back-to-back weeks. In Week 4 towards the Lions this season, Penny rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns earlier than fracturing his fibula the subsequent week. Penny will not command prime greenback, and possibly a change of surroundings could be good for him.
Projected AAV: Not out there, however he signed a one-year, $5.75M deal final March.
