Running back was once one of the most vital positions on an NFL roster, but the shelf-life of the position seems to have decreased tremendously over the past decade. Teams are not vying for running backs as desperately as in years past, but there are still backs out there and suitors ready to buy. Here’s my top five free agent running backs of 2014.
5. Donald Brown: Indianapolis Colts
Brown, 26, is quite an enigma. Brown put up solid numbers last year: 537 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, as well as 214 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Yet, his name isn’t as prominent as other backs that had the same numbers. Teams will be looking to add a dual-threat running back, though, so Brown could be the answer for a number of them.
Potential destinations: Indianapolis, Tennessee, Atlanta
Where he’ll land: Indianapolis
4. Darren McFadden: Oakland Raiders
Based on potential alone, McFadden could make a run at No. 1 on this list. However, he hasn’t played more than 13 games in a season in his career because of injury. Last year was no exception, as he missed six games and rushed for only 379 yards. Backup Rashad Jennings, also a free agent, played well in relief. McFadden could be on his way out of Oakland.
Potential destinations: Oakland, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Cincinnati
Where he’ll land: Jacksonville
3. Ben Tate: Houston Texans
Tate is another running back that has value in his potential, as he amassed 771 yards and four touchdowns last year in relief of starter Arian Foster. Injury is not much of a concern for Tate, who played 15 games in 2011 and 14 last year. Tate is also only 25, which could mean a longer contract than other veteran backs. The rumors began during the 2013 season, linking Tate to the Browns. It appears Houston will stick with Foster, so all 217 pounds of Tate could be headed elsewhere.
Potential destinations: Jacksonville, Cleveland, Baltimore, Arizona
Where he’ll land: Cleveland
2. Maurice Jones-Drew: Jacksonville Jaguars
At the age of 28, Jones-Drew is to many on the decline already. After a disappointing last two seasons that included a foot injury and two sub-1,000 yard seasons, Jones-Drew’s stock has fallen greatly. It seems as though Jones-Drew is ready to part ways with Jacksonville, but will have to settle on, most likely, a short-term deal with any interested team.
A 28-year-old running back is too much to gamble on these days in the NFL. Plus, the draft class for running backs is relatively strong, so teams will look to the draft first. However, if a team can get the old Jones-Drew to come back, it will see a top-10 player who regularly breaks 1,000 yards and finds the end zone.
Potential destinations: Jacksonville, Oakland, Cleveland, New England, San Francisco, Atlanta
Where he’ll land: Oakland
1. Knowshon Moreno: Denver Broncos
Moreno is coming off the best season of his career, and that will probably be evident by the contract that he signs this offseason. With Denver, he rushed for 1,038 yards and ten touchdowns, adding 548 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Moreno became one of the game’s best dual-threat running backs, with the help of Peyton Manning of course.
Without Manning from 2009-11, Moreno did not break 1,000 yards and recorded 12 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see what he does if he goes to a team without an MVP as a quarterback. With Montee Ball in the mix in Denver, that could be the case.
Potential destinations: Denver, Jacksonville, Cleveland, New York (G), Arizona, Philadelphia, Oakland, Atlanta
Where he’ll land: He’ll test free agency and realize if he wants to win, he’ll stay in Denver. Accepts a smaller deal than many were offering him.
Other notable free agent running backs: Jennings, James Starks, Andre Brown, Rashard Mendenhall, LeGarrette Blount