Over the last decade there have been very different types of free agent
markets in the NFL. This year however, for the first time in a long time
we have a huge Running Back free agency to look forward too. This free
agent class isn’t any slouch with any of the name that are attached.
With the salary cap increasing it makes it easier for certain teams that
are in need of a RB (Dallas, Baltimore, Giants, Philly ,Houston, etc… ) and
with the cap increase and the amount of restructuring that is going to
be going on, for big contacts to make more room its possible to see the
5 teams I just mentioned end up with one of the following dynamic
running backs in this year free agency.
The list for the top five Free Agent running backs starts off with the
most coveted in this year’s free agency and that is Derrick Henry.
Henry has spent the 8 years with the titans and has always been a
fierce runner with not only power but can turn on jets. Over his time
with the Titians, he has amassed 9500 yards on 2030 carries and 90
td’s. His average is what makes him one of the more desired running
backs this year and with a 4.7 yard per attempt 2 nd and 5 looks better
than second and 7 or 9. Henry has been rumored to just about every
team and we will get a bigger picture who the top team to go after him.
Next, we have a running back that has had a bad 5 years and even last
year with his franchise tag to keep him New York and that is Saquon
Barkley. Saquon like Henry has played his entire career with the Giants
and his first season he was everything he was drafted for however,
injuries and lack of and offensive line has slowed his talent. The Giants
are doing right by him this by letting him go and test free agency.
Barkley over his time with the G-Men amassed 5211yards on 1200
carries also only 35 TDs also has a 4.5ypc and I believe it could be even
higher on a team that build protection around him. Barkley plays like
CM7 and as a dual threat any team could use.
Next on the list another dual threat running back and that is Austin
Ekeler who over the past 7 years has been probably one of the best
dual threats available. Ekeler played with the chargers and again
injuries kind of ruined what should have been a good year for him. The
entire Charger team kind of caught the injury bug this season and really
decimated their chance for the playoffs. Ekeler over his first 7 years has
990 carries for 4300 yards but also has 440 catches for 3884yards to go
along with 69 TD’s. Ekeler is looking for a team that would best suit his
ability as a dual threat and has rumored to be interested in the Texans
as a landing spot (the Texans are said to be in on all)
One of the younger talents that will test free agency is Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs has played 6 years with the Raiders and has had a decent stretch
gaining 5545 yards on 1300 carries and 46 TD’s. His 4.2 average should
be higher as he ha the ability to juke and jive his way out of trouble.
However, over his first few seasons he has dealt with injury and that
will bring his asking amount down but, we have only had a small
sampling of what Jacobs really can do because of injuries. I believe he
will make any team better but he could be a running back that ends of
in sharing position to keep him healthy.
The last one I am going to mention is Tony Pollard. Pollard has played
with the Cowboys for the past five year but wasn’t the #1 back in Dallas
when Ezekiel Elliot was there. In Elliot’s final season Pollard got a chance
to prove why he should be the number one and in sharing duties with
Elliot he still amassed 1000yards for the season to go along with 23
TD’s. For Pollard I hope he lands with someone who will use his talents
just like Dallas did and he like Jacobs could be in a sharing role for the
first season of any new deal.
If you look at the NFL right now, we are all gearing up for the Draft at
the end of April and that is going to be a very heavy QB and WR first
round so teams will get what they need and then let the bidding begin.
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