2024 Free-Agent Running Back Preview

Things have not been great for running backs in the NFL over the past few years. Teams don't want to spend a high draft pick on them anymore or pay big money. Last year, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard were all franchise-tagged by their respective teams. 

However, no running backs were franchise-tagged this offseason. That leaves plenty of stars without a team heading into 2024, resulting in one of the best free-agent classes at the position in recent memory.

So, which running backs are currently free agents? Which teams need a running back before the 2024 season begins? Let's dive in and find out. 

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Which Running Backs Are Currently Free Agents?

Saquon Barkley 

Former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley headlines the star-studded position. After playing on the franchise tag in 2023, Barkley will be a free agent for the first time in his career. The two-time Pro Bowler should garner a ton of interest from other teams. He has 5,211 career rush yards, 35 rush touchdowns, 2,100 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns in six years. 

The #Patriots are believed to be potential suitors for RB Saquon Barkley come free agency, per @PLeonardNYDN.

A backfield consisting of Rhamondre Stevenson and Barkley could be lethal. pic.twitter.com/OKfnfIEHZg

— Carlos (@LosTalksPats) March 5, 2024

Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs is another back that should see a lot of interest from other teams. The two-time Pro Bowler has rushed for 800 yards in all five seasons, including 1,653 yards in a career year in 2022. That 2022 season earned him his first All-Pro first-team selection. Jacobs only rushed for 805 yards last year, but he is still one of the top running backs in the league. 

Derrick Henry

It remains highly unlikely that running back Derrick Henry will return to the Tennessee Titans. That means the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year will play for a new team this upcoming season. Despite being 30 years old, Henry still has plenty left in the tank. He rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and should continue to see high volume on whatever team he lands with. 

Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard is the most interesting running back in this free-agent class after a subpar 2023 campaign. Pollard did rush for 1,005 yards last season, but his 4.0 yards per carry was the lowest of his career. The 26-year-old did not look as explosive as he has in recent years, so there could be some worry from other teams to give him a multi-year deal. However, he should be able to land a nice contract this offseason, given his dual-threat ability. 

Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is coming off an abysmal year for the Los Angeles Chargers, but he'll enter the offseason looking for a fresh start. Last season, Ekeler rushed for just 628 yards and five touchdowns while catching 51 passes for 426 yards and one touchdown. It was a rough year for the running back, as he dealt with an ankle injury and rushed for a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry. Nevertheless, there's a strong chance a team will take a chance on him in 2024. 

D'Andre Swift

For the first time in his career, running back D'Andre Swift stayed relatively healthy. That helped him total career highs in several categories, including carries (229) and rushing yards (1,049). While Swift wasn't as utilized in the passing game with the Philadelphia Eagles -- only 39 catches for 214 yards -- that's a part of his game that many teams might like most about him. As a result, he should garner plenty of interest this offseason. 

Free-agent RB class now will be headlined by Saquon Barkley and include Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift amongst others. Best class of RBs in free agent history. https://t.co/9PgsqghYwK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2024

J.K. Dobbins

Running back J.K. Dobbins is attempting to make another comeback following his second season-ending injury. Dobbins tore his ACL in a preseason game in 2021 and only played in eight games in 2022. Then, the former Ohio State product tore his Achilles in Week 1 last year. There are question marks about his game after two big injuries, but a team might take a chance on him because of his talent. 

Other free agent running backs: Gus Edwards, Devin Singletary, Alexander Mattison, Antonio Gibson, A.J. Dillon

Which Teams Need a Running Back This Offseason?

With the departure of many starting running backs, including Barkley, Jacobs, Pollard, and Ekeler, teams like the Giants, Raiders, Cowboys, and Chargers will surely be looking for backs to replace them. Of those four running backs, Jacobs likely has the best chance to return to his former team. 

However, the teams that could look to address the running back position the most this offseason are the Texans, Ravens, Eagles, and Vikings. Houston will lose Singletary to free agency, leaving them in search of a new RB1. They are the most likely candidate to land one of the top backs (Barkley or Jacobs). 

The odds on Saquon Barkley's next team! 👀 @BearBetsPod pic.twitter.com/mzedWRotEv

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 6, 2024

As for the Ravens, Dobbins and Edwards are both free agents, and Keaton Mitchell (knee) is coming off a torn ACL. That could lead Baltimore to add a veteran like Henry for the 2024 season. The Eagles and Vikings are also teams that could look to spend on a running back this offseason. 

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