Free agent frenzy starts in the NFL on March 13th, which is a welcome sight since last year we had to sit out a lockout and didn’t have free agency until August.
Today we continue our position by position breakdown of free agents, and thanks to the good folks at Pro Football Weekly, they have a list of free agents by position, and today we continue with the running backs.
The number next to the players name represents the number of years they have been in the league.
Lance Ball, Denver 2
Jackie Battle, Kansas City 5
Kahlil Bell, Chicago 3
Cedric Benson, Cincinnati 7
LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay 2
Lorenzo Booker, Minnesota 3
Ronnie Brown, Philadelphia 7
Michael Bush, Oakland 4
Rock Cartwright, Oakland 10
Tashard Choice, Buffalo 4
Kevin Faulk, New England 13
Justin Forsett, Seattle 4
Matt Forté, Chicago 4
Arian Foster, Houston 3
Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay 8
Ryan Grant, Green Bay 5
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England 4
Bruce Hall, Buffalo 1
Jerome Harrison, Detroit 6
Tim Hightower, Washington 4
Peyton Hillis, Cleveland 4
Thomas Jones, Kansas City 13
Matt Lawrence, Baltimore 3
Kregg Lumpkin, Tampa Bay 3
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle 5
Mewelde Moore, Pittsburgh 8
Maurice Morris, Detroit 10
Sammy Morris, Dallas 11
Jerious Norwood, St. Louis 6
Cedric Peerman, Cincinnati 3
Issac Redman, Pittsburgh 2
Ray Rice, Baltimore 4
Steve Slaton, Miami 4
Alfonso Smith, Arizona 1
Antone Smith, Atlanta 2
Kevin Smith, Detroit 4
Jason Snelling, Atlanta 5
LaRod Stephens-Howling, Arizona 3
Chester Taylor, Arizona 10
Mike Tolbert, San Diego 4
LaDainian Tomlinson, New York Jets 11
Derrick Ward, Houston 8
Chauncey Washington, Dallas 1
Cadillac Williams, St. Louis 7
Top Five RB Free Agents:
1. Ray Rice
2. Matt Forte
3. Arian Foster
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
5. LeGarrette Blount
Top Five RB Free Agent Question Marks:
1. Michael Bush
2. Mike Tolbert
3. Issac Redman
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
5. Ryan Grant
Oldies but Goodies – RB’s that will get Jobs by Name Only:
1. Chester Taylor
2. Thomas Jones
3. Earnest Graham
4. Cedric Benson
5. Ronnie Brown
Breakdown – This is a pretty strong class, but it won’t be as strong when Rice and Forte get the franchise tag. Blount is an interesting prospect, as is Peyton Hillis, who may go back to the Browns after he sees the market is soft. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is another name to watch for, as is Ryan Grant, who wants to prove he can be a #1 back again in the NFL.
Michael Bush is going to get a lot of looks for his breakaway style, and even Steelers back Issac Redman may get some sniffs for his play in the Denver playoff loss.
Just like the QB’s – this is a class that could have some surprises.
Click HERE to see our breakdown of QB’s
