2012 NFL Free Agents: Top 7 Running Backs on the Market

Running back is often a neglected position in the NFL. Sure, the glory of a postseason touchdown run or rushing for 1,000 yards can be something not easily forgotten.

But the shelf life for a back is often shorter than expected, and injuries to ankles and shoulders can derail the career of a promising back faster than any other position in pro football.

This offseason, some big-name backs are aiming to provide themselves and their families with some financial security in case those types of injuries come to light.

In one of the better free-agent classes for running backs in recent memory, here are the top seven guys that will be getting paid come March 13th, whether they remain with their current team or not.

Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

Michael Bush had a good season as the backup to Darren McFadden last season. He especially came on after DMC went down with an injury, totaling 84 yards per game on 21 carries over his last 10 games. He also added five receiving touchdowns in that time frame, flashing versatility as a back.

His 3.8 yards per carry isn't flashy, but he's a bruiser who is looking for an opportunity to be a starter in the NFL. Of course, he'll also warrant a bit of a financial investment.

It doesn't look like the Raiders will franchise him due to the $7.7 million they would have to pay, and safety Tyvon Branch also a franchise candidate. Aside from that, he would make more money than the starter, which can't be a smart business move.

Look for Bush to find a home where he will get more carries. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are said to be "intrigued" by his skill set, but a team like the Washington Redskins could also be a good fit.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Forte is an emerging star in the NFL. Before his knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had made 60 consecutive starts on the road to 4,233 career rushing yards in four seasons.

He only had three rushing touchdowns in 2011, likely due to the arrival of Marion Barber as a short-yardage back and Jay Cutler's injury forcing more people into the box before Forte went down two weeks later.

Now, it seems the franchise tag will keep him in Chicago for at least one more season. It's obvious Forte wants a fat contract in the neighborhood of what top running backs in the NFL make, but it seems unlikely that a deal will be reached before the March 5th deadline.

Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

Lynch managed to run for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns without a decent QB in Seattle. Make a case for Tarvaris Jackson if you wish, but he doesn't have the passing ability to get teams to back out of the box.

According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, Lynch and the Seahawks are in the midst of negotiations that would land him a hefty sum while keeping him in Seattle for the foreseeable future.

Lynch is on the verge of being one of the better backs in football, and if Seattle locks him up and addresses their QB situation, they could make a run at the NFC West.

Look for the Seahawks to follow the blueprint of the NFC runner-up San Fransisco 49ers—good defense, game manager at QB and a beast of a running back.

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals

Benson's days with Cincinnati seem to be numbered. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Bengals, who put together an impressive season despite losing in the wild-card round to the Houston Texans.

It's unclear who will pony up to vie for Benson's services. It seems teams will likely wait to address their running back needs elsewhere and through the draft before taking a financial risk with Benson.

While he's not injury prone and has been one of the NFL's better running backs in his seven seasons, the off-the-field issues and his contract demands might be too high a barrier for his initial entry in the free-agent pool.

Someone will grab Benson, however, and they will get a sure-handed back capable of rushing for over 1,000 each season.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

BJGE might be the most interesting running back on the market. In a system where running backs come and go, Green-Ellis has managed to last four seasons, even putting up 1,000 yards in 2010.

He's never fumbled in his four-year career, and a team looking for a back to help bolster its current situation might overpay and offer to let him split carries in whatever situation he walks into.

It will be worth noting what position New England takes on him as well. Do they pony up the money to keep him a Patriot? Or is the combination of Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead enough for them to let Green-Ellis find a new place to play football?

Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

After another struggle from a player on the cover, you start to wonder if the Madden curse is real or just the best coincidence in the history of pro sports.

Hillis had a dismal year in 2011, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry after missing six games to injury and watching Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya do a serviceable job in his absence.

The market can't be too hot for Hillis right now, and when it's all said and done, he might have the best shot at being an impact player in Cleveland. Prior to any move they make in the draft, the running back position is wide open.

Only one year removed from a breakout season of 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns, the Browns will likely give him the opportunity to win his starting job back. But he'll need to perform at a higher level to keep it, specifically due to the possibility of bringing in a back like Trent Richardson in the draft.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is one of the top five RBs in the league. He was the league leader in yards from scrimmage, coming in at 2,068. He caught an impressive 76 passes out of the backfield for over 700 yards and added over 1,300 on the ground.

He will command one of the top salaries at his position when he reaches a long-term deal. However, there is little doubt that with out that kind of deal, the Baltimore Ravens won't hesitate to franchise tag Rice. The $7.7 million is a bargain for a player who carried the offense for the AFC runner-up Ravens.

Rice will be a Raven next year at the very least, and it's somewhat a formality that they don't have the numbers in place for Rice to spend the next four-to-five seasons with some security.