NFL Free Agency Rumors: Ronnie Brown and 15 Best Value Running Backs

So what if the NFL is a passing league? Sure, the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl using James Starks, an undrafted rookie that didn't even play his senior of college.

But that shouldn't diminish the importance of a strong—or at least respectable—running game. Backs like Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew have carried their teams to victory on a consistent basis in their careers.

The free agent running back class for 2011 has some very recognizable names. There are proven backs and back looking to prove they aren't just a one-hit wonder. Either way, they all want to cash in and find success under a new contract.

Here are the 15 most valuable running backs in free agency.

15. Brandon Jackson

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Brandon Jackson isn't a No. 1 running back in the NFL. But he is a terrific backup that contributes well in bursts.

Jackson is almost more dangerous for the Packers slipping out of the backfield as a receiver than he is carrying the ball.

If Green Bay wants to lock up Jackson as a third-down back, they'll likely be able to do so more cheaply than other teams. The Pack can make a few re-signings to bring back the core that won the Super Bowl this season.

14. Darren Sproles

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Running back Darren Sproles #43 of the San Diego Chargers rushes against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Gett

How does a running back that has never rushed for more than 343 yards in a season in his career command $7.283 million?

That's how much Darren Sproles made in 2010 to touch the ball 109 times on offense and 75 times on special teams and score two touchdowns. Is anyone really surprised that San Diego used its franchise tag on wide receiver Vincent Jackson instead of Sproles?

Sproles is worth half of his previous contract. His impact on an offense is greater than the stats indicate because of his versatility, but he's not a $7 million man.

13. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 12: BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots runs against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

BenJarvus Green-Ellis wants starter money. After all, he was the Patriots' starter last season, rushing for 1,008 yards and making only $470,000.

But the Patriots likely don't have Green-Ellis in mind as their starter for the future. It's true that Green-Ellis stepped up as a reliable runner for the Pats in 2010, but New England needs a more explosive player to have most of the carries.

The longest run of Green-Ellis' career was 33 yards. He'll be a Patriot next season; it just might come after some disagreement on his value.

12. Pierre Thomas

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

New Orleans has some unenviable decisions to make concerning its running backs. Here's why: Pierre Thomas, who led the Saints in rushing in 2008 and 2009 and made only $1.7 million in 2010, is a free agent. Reggie Bush is set to make $11.8 million in 2011 despite his more-than-1,300-yard rookie season well in the past.

New Orleans is considering cutting Bush to save its money for more productive players, one of which could be Thomas.

But Thomas was disgruntled even before last season when he accepted his $1.7 million deal for this season. He, and the loss of Bush, may drive Thomas' price up, possibly beyond his true value.

11. Ricky Williams

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins is upended by the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Pro: Ricky Williams is one year removed from a 1,000-yard season.

Con: Williams is 33 years old.

Pro: Williams is essentially 30 years old after missing nearly three full seasons for various reasons.

Con: Williams is 33 years old!

The good news for NFL franchises is that Williams can't put up too much opposition to a one-year deal. He knows he's aging, even if his 4.2-yards per carry in 2010 say otherwise. He'll get a couple million bucks in 2011.

Beyond that, he may be looking for a new industry.

10. Jerious Norwood

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 19: Jerious Norwood #32 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Arizona Cardinals at Georgia Dome on September 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Jerious Norwood won't require much of raise from his half-million 2010 salary. He's two seasons and a season-ending knee injury removed from explosive seasons in 2007 and 2008.

But he still has juice in those legs. When healthy, he's an 90-yard play waiting to happen. He can return kicks, back up a starting running back and turn swing passes into big plays out of the backfield.

If Atlanta doesn't re-sign Norwood, somebody else is going to get a potentially high-value weapon.

9. Ronnie Brown

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Uh oh. Ronnie Brown is nearing the 30-year-old plateau. Red flag!

It's almost a science that once a running back hits 30 years old, his most productive days by far are behind him. Brown turns 30 in December.

Any deal beyond three years seems unlikely. Heck, three years seems unlikely, especially after a healthy Brown ran for only 734 yards in 2010 while averaging a paltry 3.7 yards per carry.

Buyer beware.

8. Cedric Benson

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Cedric Benson is going to be a tricky signing for any team. The veteran wants one more solid contract, but is he worth it?

Yeah, he ran for 1,111 yards in 2010. But he did so averaging 3.5 yards per carry and only ran for more than 75 yards five times.

Benson made $3.75 million in 2010 and likely won't be willing to take much of a pay cut. If he doesn't, he'll be overpaid.

7. Mike Tolbert

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers rushes with the ball as cornerback Shawntae Spencer #36 of the San Francisco 49ers trys to tackle him at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California.

Mike Tolbert's world found a perfect storm in 2010. Tolbert would never wish injury on another player, but that didn't stop him from benefiting from the injury to rookie running back Ryan Matthews.

Tolbert stepped into the starter's role, rushing for an impressive 735 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 182 carries. Tolbert looks like a high-value fit for a team looking to pay him second string money.

Triple his less-than $400,000 2010 salary, and you're still getting good value.

6. Joseph Addai

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo b

It's looking less and less likely that the Indianapolis Colts will bring Joseph Addai back. That's a head-scratcher. Do they really trust Donald Brown—and his one career 100-yard game—to carry the running game?

Will Peyton Manning ever get a running back as effective as he had as when Edgerrin James was with the Colts?

Addai averaged 4.3 yards per carry this season in the eight games he was healthy for. Somebody will see him for a solid 27-year-old back that has experience as a No. 1 and can help right away.

5. Tim Hightower

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Tim Hightower #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeat

If Beanie Wells ever gets healthy and stays healthy, Arizona won't have to worry so much about its quarterback woes. Wells and Tim Hightower have the potential to be one of the NFL's premier running back duos.

Hightower is on the verge of a big raise. After making less than $400,000 and averaging 4.8 yards per carry, Hightower was highly underpaid in 2010.

The Cardinals would be wise to multiply Hightower's salary by nearly about eight. That should be about right.

4. Michael Bush

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Running back Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders runs down field in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Michael Bush is a backup running back that deserves high pay and could earn more carries on a different team. Backing up Darren McFadden, a rising star, doesn't leave a lot of opportunity for Bush.

But what chances he got he took advantage of.

Bush had four games with at least 20 carries and averaged more than four yards per carry in three of them.

After making only about $466,000 in 2010, it's time for Bush to get a fat raise.

3. Arian Foster

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes past linebacker Kirk Morrison #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

The NFL's best bargain in 2010 was Arian Foster. Houston got the league's leading rusher for less than $400,000.

After running for more than 1,600 yards last season, Foster enters the free agent market looking for giant raise. But any team looking to give it to him has to weigh the fact that Foster has only produced for one season.

Does he show signs of being able to produce at an elite level for years to come? Or is he a one-hit wonder that's going to cripple cap space?

2. DeAngelo Williams

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

DeAngelo Williams has averaged five yards per carry or better three times in his career. That's kind of a sacred plateau. Only a few running backs each season do that with a respectable amount of carries.

Williams was hampered with injury in 2010 and is looking to bounce back this coming season. Carolina wants him back to pair with Jonathan Stewart but elected to use its franchise tag on center Ryan Kalil.

WIlliams is capable of carrying the rushing load by himself for a team. But creating a tandem with him and another stud back can form a potent weapon few teams will be able to stop.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Giant fans cringe at the idea of Ahmad Bradshaw in any uniform other than that blue G-Men outfit.

He became one of the best backs in the NFL in 2010 in the first year as New York's starting running back. Sure, he has issues with fumbling. But the Giants don't have issues with his 1,200-yard production in 2010 or his playing at least 15 games for the past four seasons or his being 24 years old.

Go ahead and contact a Maybach dealer, Ahmad. The Giants are expected to make you a Maybach-money offer. The highest restricted free agent offer that New York can offer Bradshaw is $3.4 million. He'll be worth every penny.