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NFL free agency is almost here. Starting tomorrow, teams can begin negotiating new deals with free-agent players.
Last year, three running backs received the franchise tag – Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard. However, no running back got the franchise tag this offseason despite nine players getting tagged.
The 2024 NFL Draft running back class lacks star talent. Therefore, the veterans on the open market should receive appealing offers. Let’s rank the top 10 free agent running backs, starting with No. 10.
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10 – Alexander Mattison
The Minnesota Vikings have several massive free-agent decisions to make over the next few days. They started their offseason moves by releasing Mattison. The former Boise State star was one of the top backup running backs in the NFL early in his career, turning into a stud whenever Dalvin Cook got hurt. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many were excited to see what he could do as the unquestioned starter in 2023.
The #Vikings have released RB Alexander Mattison.
📰: https://t.co/HAlIJ4YxvZ pic.twitter.com/YzuvaSzXdF
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 4, 2024
Unfortunately, Mattison was a massive bust after signing a two-year contract last offseason. The veteran running back set career highs in rushing attempts (180), yards (700), and yards per game (43.8). However, he had zero rushing touchdowns and averaged under four yards per rushing attempt. The Vikings added Cam Akers early in the year. Then they gave Ty Chandler a larger role after Akers suffered a torn Achilles. While Mattison should find a home on the open market, it won’t be as a starting running back.
9 – Ezekiel Elliott
While many called Elliott washed up last offseason, the former top-five draft pick shocked some in his first year with the New England Patriots. He started the season as the No. 2 running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Yet, his role with the team grew as the team saw their passing attack severely struggle regardless of who was playing quarterback. More importantly, the veteran running back stepped up when Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain and had to miss time.
New England was without the former Oklahoma star for the final five games of the regular season. Elliott averaged 19.8 touches for 74.4 scrimmage yards per game, totaling three touchdowns in those five contests. Where he had the biggest impact was the passing game. The veteran is still one of the top pass-protecting running backs in the league. Elliott had 51 receptions last season, his highest total since 2020.
8 – Zack Moss
Moss saw his career take a turn for the worse after the Buffalo Bills drafted James Cook. His career with the Bills was a massive bust. Yet, it turned around after getting traded to the Indianapolis Colts. The veteran played well, filling in for Jonathan Taylor since joining the team. He averaged 93.3 rushing yards per game over the first three contests without the superstar running back in 2023.
Furthermore, the former Utah star had at least 70 rushing yards in every game despite facing some top-tier run defenses in those three contests. While his role shrunk after Taylor got 100% healthy, Moss still made an impact in Indianapolis. If the team gives 2023 fifth-round pick Evan Hull the first crack at being Taylor’s backup next season, the veteran could cash in on the open market as a low-end starting caliber running back.
7 – Devin Singletary
Many considered Singletary’s career on a downward spiral after the Buffalo Bills drafted James Cook. The former Florida Atlantic star spent the first four career seasons with the Bills, totaling at least 685 rushing yards every year. He had back-to-back seasons of at least 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2021 and 2022. Yet, Singletary had to accept a one-year contract with the Houston Texans last offseason.
The veteran running back started last year as Dameon Pierce’s backup before eventually earning a co-starter role. However, Singletary eventually pulled away with the featured role. The former Florida Atlantic starended the season with just under 900 rushing yards, a career-high. Reportedly, the Texans want to re-sign Singletary while adding a veteran free-agent running back like D'Andre Swift to the backfield.
Right now, as I see it, the Houston Texans are in position to retain Devin Singletary while adding a threat like D’Andre Swift, who I’m told has fans in the Texans building. In conversations with agents throughout the week, Swift’s name was connected the most to Houston. Keep an… pic.twitter.com/soti9NgGaM
— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) March 9, 2024
6 – Austin Ekeler
Ekeler fought against every narrative that undrafted running backs never pan out in the NFL. While he was once a superstar, that part of his career is over. The veteran had outstanding back-to-back years in 2021 and 2022, totaling at least 1,550 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns in both seasons. He also led the NFL in offensive scores in both years. Surprisingly, Ekeler has never made the Pro Bowl in his seven-year career.
There will be several changes for the Los Angeles Chargers in Jim Harbaugh’s first season with the team. While the head coach says he would like to see Ekeler back in Los Angeles, many believe the team would explore signing a big-name free-agent running back. Others think Harbaugh will prioritize selecting his former Michigan running back, Blake Corum, during the NFL Draft. While his days as an elite running back are over, Ekeler should have plenty of suitors on the open market.
5 – Derrick Henry
After struggling to earn a consistent role early in his career, Henry became one of the more dangerous running backs in NFL history. Running backs are rarely built like old-school linebackers but can take any rushing attempt to the house. Henry saw his yards per rushing attempt drop to 4.2 last season, a carer low. Yet, he had over 1,150 rushing yards for the fourth time in the past five years, totaling double-digit rushing scores for the sixth consecutive season.
While the veteran running back has been the focal point on offense for the Tennessee Titans for years, many believe Henry has played his final game with the franchise. The Titans are rebuilding and have no reason to re-sign the veteran running back. Henry will have plenty of options on the open market. Reportedly, the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles have the former Alabama star near the top of their free agent wish list. While his prime years are over, the star running back should remain a difference-maker in 2024.
4 – Tony Pollard
When the Dallas Cowboys made Pollard a co-starter with Ezekiel Elliott in 2022, he had a breakout year, totaling 193 rushing attempts for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. Many in the fantasy football community were excited to draft Pollard after Dallas released Elliott last offseason. Unfortunately, the former Memphis struggled in his first year as the starter, averaging a career-low four yards per rushing attempt.
Despite earning 59 more rushing attempts last season than the year before, Pollard had fewer rushing yards and saw his touchdown production cut in half. Yet, the veteran running says he wasn’t healthy until the second half of the year after suffering a broken leg during the playoff game. Reportedly, Pollard is open to taking less money to stay in Dallas.
Tony Pollard is reportedly open to taking less money if it means staying with the #Cowboys, per @calvinwatkins pic.twitter.com/H0iDSlxhnJ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 6, 2024
3 – D'Andre Swift
Many were frustrated with Swift’s limited role during his time with the Detroit Lions. The veteran running back flashed upside but never got enough touches to become a star early in his career. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell limited the former Georgia star’s workload to protect him from injury. Instead, he only ended up giving Jamaal Williams more touches than he deserved. Swift got traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 NFL Draft and had a breakout year.
The veteran running back had 229 rushing attempts for 1,049 yards and five rushing touchdowns in his first year with Philadelphia. By comparison, Swift had 250 rushing attempts and 1,159 yards over the previous two seasons combined. Surprisingly, the veteran didn’t miss a game until Week 18 before returning for the team’s playoff matchup. While the two sides are open to a reunion in 2024, many believe it will be one and done with the Eagles for Swift.
2 – Josh Jacobs
Unfortunately, Jacobs had to play on the franchise tag last year, leading to him missing most of training camp. The former Alabama star had the fifth-year option in his rookie contract declined heading into the 2022 season. However, he had a monster year, posting career highs in rushing yards (1,653) and touchdowns (12). The veteran running back also led the NFL in offensive touches (393) and scrimmage yards (2,053).
After starting the season slowly, Jacobs looked like a superstar running back again. Unfortunately, the star running back suffered a quad injury in the Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, ending his year. His value with the team took a hit during the four weeks he missed. Zamir White stepped up and played at a high level as the starter. Reportedly, Jacobs is willing to sign a one-year deal to stay in Las Vegas, hoping to improve his value before testing the free agency market again next offseason.
1 – Saquon Barkley
Barkley is one of the more talented running backs in the NFL. Unfortunately, the superstar has struggled with injuries in his career, missing 25.3% of the games. He has dealt with numerous ankle injuries, including a high-ankle sprain that cost him three weeks last season. The former Penn State star is a difference maker when healthy, averaging 75.8 rushing yards per game over the past two years.
Last season, Barkley had to play under the franchise tag. He repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the team’s decision over the past year. However, the New York Giants decided not to use the franchise tag on the superstar running back for the second consecutive offseason, allowing him to hit the open market. While Barkley could return to New York on a long-term deal, many believe he will sign with a new team in free agency.
From what I am hearing from sources this weekend, unless something changes dramatically, despite rumors, it does not sound like the Eagles will be an option for Saquon Barkley.
Could he still return to #NYGiants? Possible, but at the moment I'm expecting him to land elsewhere.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 9, 2024
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