2012 NFL Free Agents: Ranking the 10 Best Running Backs

There are some big names in the running-back class of the 2012 free-agent market. Dynamic playmakers like Ray Rice and Matt Forte are set to be at the center of franchise-tag debates and lengthy contract negotiations.

The same could also be in store for Seattle Seahawks battering ram Marshawn Lynch. The next tier of free-agent runners is dominated by players with a lot to prove after lackluster 2011 campaigns. Disgruntled rushers like AFC North duo Cedric Benson and Peyton Hillis head this particular group.

There are also one or two who could be anxious to prove themselves as capable every-down backs. Oakland Raiders reserve Michael Bush and underrated New England Patriots youngster BenJarvus Green-Ellis certainly belong in this category.

Here is a ranking of the top-10 running backs available in this year's free-agent class.

10. Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Armed with tremendous bulk and a low center of gravity, San Diego Chargers runner Mike Tolbert is an intriguing free-agent prospect. The 26-year-old possesses the skills to be a capable featured back.

Tolbert battered his way for 490 yards on 121 carries in 2011. The bruising runner is also an above-average receiver, having hauled in 54 passes for 433 yards last season.

At 5'9" and 243 lbs., Tolbert also has the leverage and power to be an effective blocker in pass-protection. The four-year pro has a nose for the end zone, evidenced by his 19 touchdowns in the last two seasons.

Some may doubt whether he is dynamic enough to carry the load as a primary back. But, Tolbert's production indicates that he should not be overlooked in this year's free-agent market.

9. Tim Hightower, Washington Redskins

Tim Hightower was on his way to a productive year with the Washington Redskins before suffering a season-ending injury in a Week 7 clash against the Carolina Panthers. In his absence, Redskins rookies Roy Helu and Evan Royster staked strong claims to lead Washington's ground attack in 2012.

If Hightower can make a full recovery, he could have some strong value in free agency. The 25-year-old is a quick-cutting runner with a powerful base capable of producing some big gains.

The 6'0", 222-pounder may run a little upright and lack a degree of imagination at times, but quick acceleration and deceptive speed always make Hightower a threat. The Richmond, Va. native is also an exceptional pass-blocker and a crafty receiver out of the backfield.

The ACL injury Hightower suffered makes him something of an unknown quantity and quite a sizable risk in 2012. Yet if the early signs of a recovery are positive and Hightower finds himself the odd man out in D.C., there are plenty of teams who could benefit from his skills.

8. Jason Snelling, Atlanta Falcons

Jason Snelling's numbers may have dipped since 2009, as his number of carries has steadily diminished in Atlanta behind regular starter Michael Turner. Yet the 28-year-old is still an effective power runner, capable of moving the chains for any offense.

At 5'11" and 243 lbs., Snelling has the size and strength to be a force running between the tackles. He is the kind of rusher who will pound out the tough yards and control the clock.

His stock is not as high as it once was, but Snelling could be revitalized if offered what could be his last chance to be an every-down back. 

7. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots

BenJarvus Green-Ellis should move on from the New England Patriots and join an offense willing to feature his talents on a more regular basis. The 26-year-old is an underrated runner with the all-round skills to thrive with an increased workload.

Green-Ellis is a tenacious and determined runner with good vision. He reads the line of scrimmage well and quickly identifies and hits openings.

He may lack game-changing speed and elite receiving skills, but the Mississippi product is a consistent and durable back. In a more run-friendly offense, Green-Ellis could reasonably be expected to post over 1,000 yards for just the second time in his career.

6. Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders

Michael Bush took advantage of the injury to normal Oakland Raiders starter Darren McFadden and posted some respectable numbers in 2011. Bush did his free-agent stock no harm at all by battering his way to 977 yards and seven touchdowns.

Those are the kind of numbers that indicate Bush might be featured-running-back material. Certainly, the 6'1", 245-pounder offers a punishing style of running that can wear any defense down.

The drawback to the 27-year-old is his lack of breakaway speed. Bush is never likely to offer much in the way of legitimate big-play capability. He is the kind of back who will get an offense three yards if three is needed, and no more.

5. Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns

After a damaging and utterly pointless holdout in 2011, Peyton Hillis isn't in the kind of demand many would have expected after his breakout 2010 campaign. His protracted contract dispute and subsequent injury problems limited Hillis to only nine starts and raised serious questions concerning his temperament.

There is no doubt that the 6'4", 250-pounder is an exciting runner capable of being an offense's main weapon. Hillis has the awesome power and determination to regularly churn out healthy gains and is also an excellent receiver.

However, these qualities are not enough to overshadow the issues that wrecked his and the Browns' season in 2011. If Hillis can demonstrate to the Browns or any other team a sense of renewed commitment, his talent might be enough to make him worth a gamble.

4. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Benglas

Cincinnati Bengals workhorse Cedric Benson is another AFC North running back whose temperament often deflects from his considerable talent on the field. Benson has topped 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in Cincinnati, but has had his share of legal troubles, including a brief stint in jail prior to the 2011 season.

Benson is also unlikely to have pleased many within the Bengals organization after he seemed to criticize the Bengals' perceived move to a more pass-friendly offense. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has already discussed having multiple runners handling the backfield chores in 2012.

That is unlikely to sit well with Benson, who has exceeded 270 carries in each of the last three seasons. The 5'11", 227-pounder is still a bruising runner between the tackles and is tough to bring down once he gets into the open field.

At 29, Benson's age may put off some teams, but veteran runners have still maintained stellar performance before—Thomas Jones, Fred Taylor and Edgerrin James are prime examples. Benson certainly possesses the talent to do the same. 

3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks

One of the most physically intimidating runners in the league, Marshawn Lynch will certainly be in high demand if the Seattle Seahawks don't do all they can to keep him in the NFC West.

Almost impossible to bring down with just one man once he builds up a head of steam, Lynch runs with ferocious anger and brutal power. This forceful combination led to his best pro season in 2011, as Lynch topped 1,200 yards.

There has to be some concern that Lynch has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career and produced his fine numbers in a contract year. When motivated, however, Lynch can trample all over any defense.

2. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Few running backs in the league can match the all-around skill set that Ray Rice offers. The diminutive speedster can pound the ball inside, break away for big gains, catch passes and is arguably the best blocker at his position in the game.

If anything, the Baltimore Ravens don't make enough use of Rice. This is clearly not lost on the player, who called for a bigger workload during the season.

The Ravens' bizarre commitment to building the offense more around the arm strength of Joe Flacco could continue to irk a runner talented enough to be the focal point of any attack. The Ravens are clearly not indifferent to this concern, with NFL.com reporting that the team could slap the franchise tag on Rice as early as tomorrow.

1. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears

Losing Jay Cutler hurt, but the moment the Chicago Bears' season truly ended was when all-purpose runner Matt Forte went down with an injury in Week 13. Forte is the best multi-purpose back in the league, and keeping him in Chicago is vital to the Bears' chances of success.

He is a crafty and elusive runner with deceptive quickness and strength. The 26-year-old is also a brilliant receiver, able to align wherever the play requires. In only 12 games, Forte finished just three rushing yards shy of 1,000 and also chipped in with 52 receptions for 490 yards. 

Forte and the Bears have begun preliminary discussions over a new deal. The Bears will likely want to secure Forte for the long-term future, but in the meantime, Chicago's top offseason priority has been franchise tagged.