5 Best Running Backs on the Market this Offseason Part 1

By BetOnline February 5, 2020

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BY ADAM GREENE

Running back is a position that remains undervalued in the NFL in spite of the fact that two teams made it to their conference championships and one to the Super Bowl riding a dominant run game. Now, of course, the team with the best quarterback ended up winning Super Bowl LIV, but what’s wrong with being loaded at both positions?

Luckily for teams looking for backfield help, it’s available in free agency this season as none of the running backs available, even the guy at No. 1, are likely to be hit with the franchise tag,

1. DERRICK HENRY, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT

2019: 303 carries, 1,540 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 18 catches, 206 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns

Henry became a household name during the Tennessee Titans’ playoff run. He cruised for 446 yards and two touchdowns in their three postseason games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry and all but single-handedly (hopefully) ended the New England Patriots dynasty for good. The Titans’ offense needs a runner like Henry. They specifically need Henry, but probably won’t stick him with the $12.474 million franchise tag. They definitely don’t want to pay him that per year as no team that’s crossed the $12 million mark with a running back in recent seasons has gotten the return on their investment that they’d hoped.

That probably means the transition tag ($10.189 million) is the more realistic option and gives Tennessee the right to match any offer Henry gets on the open market.

Where he should end up: Tennessee Titans

If the Titans hit Henry with the transition tag, I don’t see any team matching that. Currently there are four running backs making more than $10 million a year and only Ezekiel Elliott put up decent numbers last season. In fact, he was the only one to even cross 1,000 yards (the other guys are Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell and David Johnson).

Henry should take a lesson from Melvin Gordon, who will show up later on this list and look at that $10 million a year figure as the high-water mark for what he could possibly make and remain with the Titans.

2. KAREEM HUNT, RESTRICTED FREE AGENT

2019: 43 carries, 179 yards, two touchdowns, 37 catches, 285 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown

By the time Hunt came back from his eight-game suspension, the Cleveland Browns running back job belonged solely to Nick Chubb. Hunt still got involved in the passing game and has the stats to prove it, but there’s not really a spot for him in Cleveland anymore. He’s probably not too broken up about it.

Of course, Hunt could be looking at another stint on his couch after getting busted for speeding with pot and open vodka container in the car. Hunt was only cited for going over the speed limit and the cop, though preachy, was cool about the whole thing. The NFL might not be, but this is a collective bargaining year and that could work in his favor.

Who he should end up with: Houston Texans

The real answer here is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs, as good as they are (and, you know, they’re the champs), were better with Hunt as a runner-receiver but that’s not going to happen. The Texans have lost their entire backfield to free agency and Hunt would be an upgrade over Lamar Miller and Carlos Hyde (who, spoiler, makes an appearance later in the list). He’d add the wrinkle of being an every-down back to an already potent offense and give Deshaun Watson one more weapon for head coach and now general manager Bill O’Brien to have no clue how to use.

Check out the rest of the list in Part 2.