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Top 10 NFL free agent RBs for 2025 fantasy drafts. Power rankings, NFL draft impact, team fits, and player outlooks: Aaron Jones, J.K. Dobbins, Rico Dowdle, and more.
The 2025 NFL offseason officially kicks off on Wednesday with the start of the new league year. However, free agency begins on Monday with a two-day legal tampering window.
While teams and players can’t put pen to paper during the two-day legal tampering window, free agents can renegotiate contracts with every team in the NFL. Last year, the running back free agent class was loaded, with Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs being the top options.
Unfortunately, this year’s free agency running back class lacks superstar options. However, the class has several solid running backs. Let’s look at the top 10 free-agent running backs this offseason.
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10) Alexander Mattison, RB, NFL Free Agent
Mattison signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason. Unfortunately, the veteran running back struggled despite a lack of competition in the backfield. Yet, he had a solid year, totaling 132 rushing attempts for 420 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games and seven starts.
However, Mattison’s primary impact came in the passing game. The veteran had 36 receptions on 48 targets for 294 receiving yards and a touchdown. He set career highs in every category except touchdowns last season. Mattison isn’t a starting-caliber running back, but he is a solid No. 2 option.
9) Jordan Mason, RB, NFL Free Agent
Unfortunately, Christian McCaffrey only played in four contests last year because of multiple injuries. Mason stepped up with the superstar out of the lineup. He had 83 rushing attempts for 464 yards and four touchdowns over his first two seasons in the NFL. However, the former Georgia Tech star was outstanding last year.
With McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell out of the lineup, Mason shined as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting running back. He had 153 rushing attempts for 789 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games with six starts. While many teams would love to sign him this offseason, Mason is a restricted free agent, meaning he will likely return to San Francisco.
Mr. Jordan Mason, ladies and gentleman 👏
📺: #SFvsMIN on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/3Siu49Kcnm— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
8) Raheem Mostert, RB, NFL Free Agent
The Dolphins released Mostert earlier this offseason, allowing Jaylen Wright to take over as the No. 2 running back in the backfield. Last year, the veteran had a quiet season, totaling only 85 rushing attempts for 278 yards and two touchdowns in 13 contests.
Yet, Mostert is only two years removed from a career season. The veteran totaled 209 rushing attempts for 1,012 yards and 18 touchdowns, leading the NFL. Unfortunately, he has struggled with injuries throughout his career. However, Mostert has enough gas left in the tank to be a solid backup running back in 2025.
7) Javonte Williams, RB, NFL Free Agent
Williams showed star potential as a rookie, totaling 203 rushing attempts for 903 yards and four touchdowns in 2021 despite splitting the backfield work with Melvin Gordon. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant knee injury in 2022, ending his season after four games. The former North Carolina star hasn’t been the same since the injury.
Last year, Williams played in every game since his rookie season. However, he was part of a split backfield with limited success. The veteran had 139 rushing attempts for 513 yards and four touchdowns. The Denver Broncos are unlikely to offer him a new contract, meaning Williams will have a new home next year.
Javonte Williams goes untouched into the end zone! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/00Bqt0nJiR— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
6) Nick Chubb, RB, NFL Free Agent
Unfortunately, Chubb played in only 10 contests in the past two seasons because of multiple significant injuries. Last year, the veteran running back had 102 rushing attempts for 332 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, he averaged only 3.3 yards per rushing attempt.
By comparison, the former superstar averaged at least five yards per rushing attempt in every other season of his career, including 5.5 or better twice. Unfortunately, Chubb will likely never return to that level of production because of the injury. He is best suited now as a co-starter with a younger and more explosive running back.
5) Najee Harris, RB, NFL Free Agent
Harris is the only running back in the league to have over 1,000 rushing yards every year over the past four seasons. However, he never averaged more than 4.1 yards per rushing attempt in any year of his career. Furthermore, the longest run of his career is only 37 yards.
However, the former Alabama star had no trouble finding the end zone in his career. Harris has 28 rushing touchdowns in four years, including six last season. Don’t be surprised if he lands with the Chicago Bears this offseason as Ben Johnson’s new David Montgomery.
NAJEE HARRIS ARE YOU SERIOUS!?
📺: #PITvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/6uP3rKdzdD— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
4) Jaylen Warren, RB, NFL Free Agent
While Harris likely won’t be back with the Pittsburgh Steelers next season, Warren is all but a lock to return. The former undrafted free-agent running back is a restricted free agent, meaning any team that wants to sign him must give the Steelers a draft pick in exchange for Warren. Teams rarely want to give up draft picks and a big contract to free agents.
Therefore, Warren should earn black and yellow for at least one more year. However, will he be Pittsburgh’s starting running back? The former Oklahoma State star played well as a part-time player. Yet, expect the Steelers to replace Harris with a veteran in free agency or a mid-round rookie running back.
3) Rico Dowdle, RB, NFL Free Agent
Everyone expected the Dallas Cowboys to draft Jonathon Brooks last year. Instead, the team didn’t select a running back during the 2024 NFL Draft. They had enough faith in Dowdle to make him their starter. Thankfully, he didn’t let the Cowboys down.
Last season, Dowdle had over 1,000 rushing yards after totaling 385 yards over the first three years of his career. More importantly, the veteran had a meaningful role in the passing game, totaling 39 receptions for 249 receiving yards. Don’t be surprised if he is back in Dallas as the team’s starter in 2025.
.@DallasCowboys close out a long 90-yard drive with a TD, courtesy of Rico Dowdle!
📺: #DALvsPIT on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6r3EE7WqDT— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2024
2) J.K. Dobbins, RB, NFL Free Agent
Unfortunately, Dobbins has spent most of his career hampered by injury. He missed nearly two-thirds of the games during his time with the Baltimore Ravens because of injury, including the entire 2021 season. Thankfully, Dobbins had a career year in his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The former Ohio State star had 195 rushing attempts for 905 yards and nine touchdowns, setting career highs in every category. While he missed four games with a knee injury, Dobbins was healthy and productive the rest of the season. The veteran likely will re-sign with the Chargers on a short-term deal.
1) Aaron Jones, RB, NFL Free Agent
Jones signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason after spending the first seven years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The veteran running back had an impressive season, totaling 255 rushing attempts for 1,138 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Aaron Jones hits pay dirt to extend the @Vikings lead!
📺: #CHIvsMIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus & ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/aTSXgqeXio— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2024
By comparison, Jones had only four rushing touchdowns over his previous two years. However, he showed signs of decline late in the season, struggling after a hot start. Furthermore, Jones has seen his yards-per-rushing-attempt average decline for the third consecutive year. He will likely sign a short-term deal with the Vikings.
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