2016 NFL Free Agency: Where Will This Year's Top RBs Land?

As we've seen over the past few years, the running back position has seemingly become less and less of a priority and concern to NFL teams than in years past.

For example, in the 2015 NFL draft, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley became the first running back to be selected in the first round since 2012.

In the years in between, backs such as Le'Veon Bell—a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers—emerged, and the running back position was not a first-round pick consideration for several seasons.

However, one alternative to drafting a running back is signing one in free agency.

As we've seen with the New England Patriots, you can strike gold with the least likely of players—see Lewis, Dion.

There are only two running backs that make over $10 million per season, and one of them is Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who is set to ride off into the sunset after announcing his retirement during this year's Super Bowl. To go even further, there are just eight running backs (excluding Lynch) that are making over $4 million a season.

Another component that could change the complexity of the free-agent market is the projected franchise-tag number. According to CBS Sports' Joel Corry, a former sports agent, the projected running back franchise-tag number is just north of $11.8 million.

Wow.

However, having a solidified, consistent and reliable backfield are the key components of a perennial Super Bowl contender.

This list is comprised of the top eight running backs in this free-agency class.

Let's start at No. 8.

8. LeGarrette Blount, RB, New England Patriots

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Age: 29

Before a hip injury ultimately landed him on injured reserve, New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was having a solid 2015 season and was a staple of the Patriots backfield.

Before his injury, Blount had over 700 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

As we've seen throughout his career—with the exception of his first two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Blount has had limited success outside of New England.

Interestingly enough, he has amassed 18 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons.

It's hard to imagine Blount away from the Patriots, and due to the likelihood that his price tag will be on the cheap end, he fits the Patriots' M.O.

2016 Landing Spot: New England Patriots

7. Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

Don Wright/Associated Press

Age: 24

With fellow running back C.J. Anderson struggling to start the 2015 season, Ronnie Hillman stepped up as a spark plug for the Denver Broncos running game.

In 2015 (including playoffs), Hillman saw nearly 240 carries, had over 900 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. It's also worth noting that in 2012 and 2014, Hillman received just over 100 carries.

Perhaps the biggest blow to his potential market was his performance in the 2015 playoffs. During the postseason, Hillman had 32 carries, but only mustered 54 rushing yards. In Super Bowl 50, he had just five carries and did not manage to record a single rushing yard in the team's win over the Carolina Panthers.

Hillman will be a solid fit with a team where he's not a workhorse back but is instead able to perform in a committee-like setting.

2016 Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens

6. Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins

Tim Sharp/Associated Press

Age: 27

With fellow running back Matt Jones coming to town, it seems likely that the Washington Redskins are going to let Alfred Morris walk in free agency.

Reports from ESPN.com's John Keim back up that notion, saying that the team will likely not make an effort to re-sign Morris.

After three straight seasons compiling at least 1,000 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, Morris had the worst season in his pro career, accruing just one touchdown.

Former Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme was a perfect fit for Morris.

With exceptionally limited ability in the passing game, Morris is a perfect fit for a team that needs a chain-mover and a guy who can handle a heavier workload.

As you can see with his projected landing spot—the New York Jets—running back Chris Ivory would be gone, opening the door wide-open for a Morris-Bilal Powell duo moving forward.

At 27 years old, Morris still has something left in the tank.

2016 Landing Spot: New York Jets

5. C.J. Anderson, RB, Denver Broncos

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/Getty Images

Age: 25

As a restricted free agent, it's likely that incumbent Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson will return.

After a slow start to the season, Anderson had his coming-out party in the second half of the season and carried his late-season success into the 2015 playoffs.

In the playoffs, Anderson carried the ball 54 times for over 200 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns—one of which came in Super Bowl 50.

Remember, it wasn't too long ago that Anderson was a first-round draft choice in many fantasy football leagues after a stellar 2014 campaign.

Speaking of 2014, following Anderson's first game with double-digit carries, he was second in the league in rushing and was tied with Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in touchdowns.

With fellow running back Ronnie Hillman leaving in free agency, we could be in store for an Anderson-Juwan Thompson duo in 2016.

2016 Landing Spot: Denver Broncos

4. Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Age: 27

In 2015, New York Jets running back Chris Ivory finally eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and enjoyed a Pro Bowl season.

Although he had success this season, do not automatically assume Ivory will be back in New Jersey in 2016.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, "the indicators suggest he will sign elsewhere." As Cimini also points out, there are three key points that make this all the more sensible: age, late-season decline and the Jets' salary-cap situation.

The Jets have to make some tough decisions this offseason due to the expiring contracts of defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive tackle Damon Harrison and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

With speculation that the Houston Texans may cut running back Arian Foster, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle,  it will leave the door wide-open for Ivory to fill in for the productive veteran.

2016 Landing Spot: Houston Texans

3. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Age: 30

It will be surreal to see Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte in another uniform next season.

With the news that the Bears will not re-sign the veteran, Forte will be on the move in 2016.

Over his career, Forte has carried the ball at least 200 times in each season since entering the league. He has also caught at least 50 passes in each season, with the exception of 2012 and 2015.

Just one season after catching over 100 passes in 2014, Forte missed some time due to injury in 2015, which ultimately opened the door for rookie running back Jeremy Langford. Given Langford's performance, the Bears' decision to cut ties with Forte was that much easier.

While the New England Patriots would be a perfect fit for Forte, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com noted, it's hard to imagine them adding a running back like Forte if they stick with Blount.

Last week, Forte told Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times that an established quarterback will play into the team he signs with in 2016.

Seattle signal-caller Russell Wilson fits that profile.

In addition to Wilson, the imminent retirement of Marshawn Lynch and the aging Fred Jackson, pairing Forte with a young Thomas Rawls makes a world of sense.

A tandem of Rawls and Forte would pay huge dividends for the Seahawks as they look to capture their second Super Bowl title in four seasons.

2016 Landing Spot: Seattle Seahawks

2. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Age: 24

At just 24 years of age, Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller has set himself up to be one of the highest-paid running backs in the league.

Over the past two years, Miller has had back-to-back eight-touchdown seasons and at least 38 receptions.

Miller was severely underutilized in 2015, totaling under 200 carries yet still amassing nearly 900 rushing yards.

Miller is the youngest running back on this list, and still has many years ahead of him in the NFL.

With rookie running back Jay Ajayi showing Dolphins faithful what he is capable of late in the season, Miller could be on his way out of Miami, which is likely best for his career.

2016 Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys

1. Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Keane/Associated Press

Age: 27

With 39 fewer carries, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin finished just behind Minnesota's Adrian Peterson in rushing with just over 1,400 yards.

To say 2015 was one of the best things that could have happened for Martin's career is an understatement, considering just a year ago football fans were singing a different tune about him.

Not only did Martin finish second in the league in rushing, he led the league in 15-plus-yard runs with a total of 19.

As previously noted, the projected cap number for running backs is around $11.8 million, which may be too much for the Buccaneers to swallow if they want to keep Martin and are unable to work out a deal before free agency starts.

If Martin hits the open market, there is a chance he could depart, but it seems that maintaining the core of quarterback Jameis Winston, wide receiver Mike Evans and Martin is an important blueprint for the Buccaneers in 2016.

The Buccaneers will not let the 27-year-old get away.

It looks like Martin may "hit the jackpot" after all.

2016 Landing Spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Contract details courtesy of Over the Cap.

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