NFL free agents 2021: Top 10 running backs
A salary-cap crunch is coming this offseason, and that could have a big impact on the running back position. RBs are typically viewed as replaceable in NFL circles, so teams may not be willing to shell out big bucks to keep their best runners around. Their shelf lives just aren't long enough to justify that.The 2021 free-agent running back class is a strong one. There are several potential lead backs available, but the question is, who will pay for them?The Patriots don't seem likely to invest heavily at the position. But with James White and Rex Burkhead set to hit free agency, perhaps they'll look to add a proven veteran to work alongside Damien Harris and Sony Michel, as both have had injury issues during their career. As such, they could consider targeting one of the top-10 options on the market.
Age: 26
2020 Stats: 201 carries, 1,104 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 47 catches, 355 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns
Jones is the most complete back on the free-agent market. He's a force on the ground and has averaged 5.2 yards per carry during his career, a pace that would tie him for the sixth-highest mark in NFL history with Jim Brown. Jones is also a good pass catcher, and he has had over 1,500 scrimmage yards in consecutive seasons. If the Packers decide to move forward with A.J. Dillon as their lead back, Jones could land elsewhere and either way, he should be paid at the rate of a top-10 running back.
Age: 26
2020 Stats: 141 carries, 681 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 37 catches, 286 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns
Carson was the second-to-last running back selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he has been one of the best from that class. He's a big, strong, physical back that has averaged 1,474 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns per 16 games the last three seasons. He has never played a full 16-game season, but he has played at least 12 games in three straight years.
Carson may have to settle for a shorter-term deal because of the lack of cap space across the NFL, and he would fit well with any of the Patriots' AFC East rivals if he doesn't go back to the Seahawks. Seattle has little cap space, so they may be comfortable letting Carson go.
Age: 27
2020 Stats: 239 carries, 955 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 25 catches, 137 receiving yards
Drake had an up-and-down 2020 campaign. He had a couple of 100-yard outings against the Cowboys and the Bills, but he averaged only 4.0 yards per carry on the year. Part of that can be chalked up to injury and the Cardinals' offensive line, but Drake wasn't as explosive as many had hoped. That said, he was still a goal-line hammer for the team and nearly had 1,000 yards. He can still be trusted as a starter, but it's unclear if the Cardinals will want to bring him back or if they'll give more opportunities to Chase Edmonds, who looked good last year.
Age: 26
2020 Stats: 118 carries, 502 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, seven catches, 28 receiving yards
Lindsay played second-fiddle to Melvin Gordon for most of last year while he battled injuries. That said, Lindsay still looked explosive at times and can be a quality starter. The Broncos are likely to tender him as a restricted free agent, so he'll probably be back in Denver. But if another team pays up for his services, perhaps that could change.
Age: 26
2020 Stats: 97 carries, 367 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 36 catches, 233 receiving yards
Fournette was merely a solid committee guy during the regular season but once the postseason rolled around, "Playoff Lenny" appeared. In four games, he had 448 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns. That would've per him on pace for 1,792 scrimmage yards and 16 TDs over a 16-game season. Fournette is still young, so if he can recapture that playoff magic, he should be a top-tier starter. He may have to take on a one-year deal to prove that he can, but expect there to be a lot of interest in Fournette.
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 144 carries, 723 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, nine catches, 129 receiving yards
Edwards has been a key part of the Ravens running back rotation the last three years. He has averaged at least 5.0 yards per carry in each of those seasons and he was the team's 1B option to the 1A of JK Dobbins last season. Edwards is a restricted free agent, so the Ravens will probably keep him. However, if the Ravens want to invest money elsewhere, another team could swoop in and get Edwards.
Age: 28
2020 Stats: 168 carries, 642 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 59 catches, 373 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns
Davis was a pleasant surprise for the Panthers last season. With Christian McCaffrey out for most of the season, Davis emerged as a solid starter, especially as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He had over 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight TDs, both career-high marks, so perhaps a team will bring him aboard as a potential starter. He only has 412 career carries under his belt, so there is plenty of tread left on his tires.
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 169 carries, 721 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 35 catches, 215 receiving yards
Conner has fallen off since 2018, when he did an admirable job of replacing Le'Veon Bell during Bell's holdout. Since then, Conner has been inconsistent. He had three 100-yard games in the first five games of his season, but after that, he averaged just 44 rushing yards per game. The Steelers may want a better back to help take the pressure off of Ben Roethlisberger, so Conner may have to go elsewhere or settle for a 1B/backup role in Pittsburgh.
Age: 26
2020 Stats: 195 carries, 678 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, 25 catches, 164 receiving yards
Gurley, unfortunately, isn't the same elite running back he was just a couple of years back. Knee issues have sapped his explosiveness and now, he's more of a power runner than anything else. Still, Gurley can be effective in small bursts, and he is excellent near the goal-line. Expect him to sign a deal somewhere as part of a committee in a late-career LeGarrette Blount-type deal.
Age: 29
2020 Stats: 35 carries, 121 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 49 catches, 375 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown
White has long been one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. No player on the open market had more receiving yards last season than he did. White should continue to be a solid receiver out of the backfield and the Patriots will probably be interested in bringing him back. Tom Brady may have an interest in bringing him to Tampa Bay, too, if he hits the open market.
