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Top running back free agents for 2020

What running backs are available in NFL free agency this off-season? We take you through the best running backs your team might end up signing in 2020.

By Chet Gresham
Running back Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after scoring on a five yard rushing touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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

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