All 32 NFL groups have now turned their consideration to the offseason, and free company supplies an incredible alternative for them to enhance their rosters. Sure, it is not as essential because the draft, however selecting up a confirmed star is at all times 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 every part in your offense, and this class options a number of studs. Below, we’ll break down 10 of the highest working backs searching for new offers within the coming months.
Just 11 months in the past, Barkley was reportedly price a fourth-round decide on the commerce market. Well, he is price 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 effectively.
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 shaped a little bit of a dynamic duo, as each helped the Giants rack up 2,519 dashing yards, which set a single-season franchise document. 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 (through Spotrac)
Jacobs picked the best possible 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 possibilities of returning to the Raiders are, he mentioned throughout Super Bowl week that he could be effective enjoying on the franchise tag if the Raiders added important offensive assist, and that if the Raiders acquired somebody like Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, it will “change a variety of dynamics” along with his personal future.
Jacobs proved this previous season that he might be among the best working backs within the NFL, and he simply turned 25. If the Raiders do not wish to pony up the dough, another person will.
Projected AAV: $12.8 million, 4th amongst RBs (through 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 does not get franchise-tagged.
Projected AAV: $9 million, ninth amongst RBs (through 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 sport earlier than managing simply 16 dashing yards within the Super Bowl.
The former No. 53 total select of Penn State earned Pro Bowl honors for the primary time this previous season. He’s averaged 65.1 dashing yards per sport since coming into the league, and rushed for a career-high 74.6 yards per sport in 2022.
Projected AAV: $7.2 million, Tenth amongst RBs (through Spotrac)
Montgomery has rushed for no less than 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 sport), though that was largely as a result of Justin Fields. The quarterback rushed for 1,143 yards, whereas Montgomery got here in behind him with 801. While he will not be seen as the highest again in free company, Montgomery is a tricky runner who will appeal to curiosity. It’s additionally price mentioning that the Bears have sufficient monetary sources to maintain him within the fold.
Projected AAV: $7.2 million, Tenth amongst RBs (through Spotrac)
Hunt recorded simply 678 yards from scrimmage and 4 whole touchdowns in 2022, and may very well be enjoying for a special staff in 2023. The 27-year-old needed an extension final offseason, did not get it after which was reportedly concerned in commerce talks — however finally not dealt.
Maybe Hunt may seek for a staff 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 (through 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 select of Alabama has been productive when wholesome, however accidents have precipitated him to overlook a number of video games in all 4 of his seasons.
Projected AAV: $7.1 million,Tenth amongst RBs (through Spotrac)
One of essentially the most attention-grabbing 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 of to be one of many high backs in free company, however he is a sturdy, dependable participant who can also be a pacesetter within the locker room. I can see him remaining in Detroit. It seems like Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson actually admire him.
Projected AAV: $4.1 million, T-18th amongst RBs (through Spotrac)
The working again place is probably going one the Bills will probably be trying to improve this offseason, and which means Singletary may very well 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 (through Spotrac)
Here’s an attention-grabbing one. Sure, Rashaad Penny’s title might have develop into synonymous with injured reserve, however I feel he is effectively price a glance. Apart from quite a few accidents, the previous first-round decide can also be identified for happening tears.
Take the top 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 following week. Penny will not command high 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.
