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The NFL kicks off free agency negotiations on Monday at noon ET, and there are some quality running backs hitting the open market. Derrick Henry just got the franchise tag, so the running back pool takes a big hit for 2020, but we still have Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake, along with some useful backs who could help a team out.
Gordon held out for a new contract to save his body for free agency, but running backs’ value has taken a big hit of late, as backs who get big deals in free agency have done little to live up to those deals in a league that doesn’t need one back to take over a game like it used to.
Kenyan Drake upped his value while in Arizona last season and should be able to make some cash. The Cardinals did give him the transition tag, which gives them a chance to match any other offer, but they get no compensation if they don’t match an offer. The bulk of the backs are either aging themselves out of strong contracts or are at best third-down backs, who will latch onto a team for a chance to be part of a committee.
Top running back free agents for 2020
Rank | Player | Pos. | Age | 2019 Team | 2020 Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Player | Pos. | Age | 2019 Team | 2020 Team |
1 | Derrick Henry | RB | 26 | TEN | TEN |
2 | Melvin Gordon | RB | 27 | LAC | |
3 | Kenyan Drake | RB | 26 | ARI | |
4 | Devonta Freeman | RB | 28 | ATL | |
5 | Jordan Howard | RB | 25 | PHI | MIA |
6 | Carlos Hyde | RB | 28 | HOU | |
7 | DeAndre Washington | RB | 27 | LVR | |
8 | Jonathan Williams | RB | 26 | IND | |
9 | LeSean McCoy | RB | 32 | KC | |
10 | Peyton Barber | RB | 26 | TB | |
11 | C.J. Prosise | RB | 26 | SEA | |
12 | Lamar Miller | RB | 29 | HOU | |
13 | Dion Lewis | RB | 29 | TEN | |
14 | Chris Thompson | RB | 29 | WAS | |
15 | Wendell Smallwood | RB | 26 | WAS | |
16 | Javorius Allen | RB | 29 | NYG | |
17 | Frank Gore | RB | 37 | BUF | |
18 | Ameer Abdullah | RB | 27 | MIN | |
19 | Spencer Ware | RB | 28 | KC | |
20 | Dwayne Washington | RB | 26 | NO | |
21 | Devontae Booker | RB | 28 | DEN | |
22 | Bilal Powell | RB | 31 | NYJ | |
23 | Tyler Ervin | RB | 26 | GB | |
24 | Theo Riddick | RB | 29 | DEN | |
25 | Ty Montgomery | RB | 27 | NYJ | |
26 | D.J. Foster | RB | 26 | ARI | |
27 | Isaiah Crowell | RB | 27 | LVR | |
28 | Kenjon Barner | RB | 31 | ATL | |
29 | Robert Turbin | RB | 30 | SEA | |
30 | Darren Sproles | RB | 37 | PHI | |
31 | Taiwan Jones | RB | 32 | HOU | |
32 | Rod Smith | RB | 28 | LVR | |
33 | Senorise Perry | RB | 28 | BUF | |
34 | Alfred Blue | RB | 29 | JAC |