NFL Free Agency 2013: Power Ranking Available Running Backs

As we approach the 2013 period of NFL free agency, one of the most in-demand positions will be running back. After the resurgence of the position in 2012, every team is looking to improve their ground game.

The question is, who are the best available running backs?

Some players have the talent, but a history of injuries or character issues may hold them back. Some have flirted with the label of elite, but age could turn teams away from handing them a long-term deal.

So who are the best running backs on the open market? Let's find out.

Honorable Mention: Andre Brown

Status: RFA

Age: 26

Experience: 2 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

73 carries, 385 yards, 8 touchdowns, 12 receptions, 86 yards

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York, the New York Giants are expected to re-sign Andre Brown.

Per Paul Schwartz of The New York Post, Brown is preparing to compete with David Wilson to be the Giants starter.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Brown will remain in New York. If he doesn't, he is certainly an intriguing player.

Brown picked up 385 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 carries in 2012. That's 5.3 yards per carry and one touchdown every 9.1 carries.

Efficiency.

10. Chris Ivory

Status: RFA

Age: 24

Experience: 3 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

40 carries, 217 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 receptions, 15 yards

Chris Ivory is one of the most efficient backs in the NFL. For his career, he's averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Unfortunately, Ivory has been lost in a deep New Orleans backfield.

Perhaps signing elsewhere will give the 24-year-old the opportunity he needs to shine. Ivory is unlikely to command a high salary or step in as an immediate starter.

With that being said, he has the size and burst to earn some significant carries.

At 6'0" and 222 pounds, Ivory is the mammoth that numerous contenders would love to have on third downs or goal-line sets.

As for his ability to be an every-down back, 2010 showed his capabilities. Ivory took 137 carries for 716 yards, five touchdowns and 44 first downs.

For his career, Ivory is averaging 3.0 first downs per game.

9. Danny Woodhead

Status: UFA

Age: 28

Experience: 4 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

76 carries, 301 yards, 4 touchdowns, 40 receptions, 446 yards, 3 touchdowns

Danny Woodhead may not be an every-down back, but he's proved to be one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL.

In a pass-happy league, that bodes well for Woodhead gaining a market as a free agent. With Darren Sproles becoming such a feared weapon over the past two seasons, it wouldn't be hard to imagine a team chomping at the bit to sign Woodhead.

With good reason, too.

Woodhead picked up 747 total yards and seven total touchdowns in 2012. That includes 301 yards on the ground on 76 carries and 446 yards on 40 receptions.

Woodhead picked up four touchdowns on the ground and three through the air.

The common criticism of Woodhead could be that he is a "system player." After thriving under Bill Belichick in New England for three seasons, that's an understandable theory.

The question is, will a team grant him the opportunity to shine elsewhere?

Or will New England bring their offensive dynamo back?

8. Felix Jones

Status: UFA

Age: 25

Experience: 5 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

111 carries, 402 yards, 3 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 262 yards, 2 touchdowns

Sometimes it feels like Felix Jones has been in the NFL for ages.

In fact, it has been five seasons and he remains just 25 years old—a major reason a team could take a chance on him.

Jones played all 16 games in 2012, marking the second time in his career that he was healthy for a full season. In that time, he picked up 664 total yards and five total touchdowns. He had 25 receptions for 262 yards.

That's the selling point, there.

Jones is more than capable of running the screen game and coming in as a third-down back. He's also a dynamic playmaker in the open field.

Assuming he finds the right situation, playing out of the Dallas Cowboys' spotlight could be exactly what Jones needs to turn his career around.

7. Jonathan Dwyer

Status: RFA

Age: 23

Experience: 3 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

156 carries, 623 yards, 2 touchdowns, 18 receptions, 106 yards

Jonathan Dwyer isn't the most well-known back in the league, but he's a physical runner with explosive open-field speed.

According to Ben Volin of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers may not tender Dwyer and could allow him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Word of advice to teams in need of a running back: Sign Dwyer.

Dwyer managed to tally 623 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games during the 2012 regular season. He also pulled in 18 receptions. Dwyer topped 100 yards in consecutive games against the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh doesn't view him as a starter.

Someone should pick this 229-pound freight train up, as soon as possible.

6. LeGarrette Blount

Status: RFA

Age: 26

Experience: 3 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

41 carries, 151 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 reception, 2 yards

In 2010, LeGarrette Blount burst onto the scene by rushing for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns on 5.0 yards per carry. In 2011, Blount picked up 781 yards and five touchdowns on 4.2 yards per attempt. He fumbled it three times in both seasons.

Unfortunately for Blount, the emergence of rookie Doug Martin limited his playing time in 2012.

Blount saw just 41 carries and picked up 151 yards and two touchdowns in the process.

Fortunately for Blount, there is always a market for bruising runners. At 6'0" and 247 pounds, Blount classifies as that.

The question is, can he replicate 2010 or is that all but gone?

5. Rashard Mendenhall

Status: UFA

Age: 25

Experience: 5 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

51 carries, 182 yards, 9 receptions, 62 yards, 1 touchdown

Rashard Mendenhall has the label of an injury-prone player after missing 10 games in 2012.

We'd be remiss to ignore the fact that he was a force to be reckoned with from 2009 to 2011 and remains just 25 years old.

As long as a team believes he can return to full strength, Mendenhall will find a home. Wherever he signs, this young man could make a serious impact.

In 2009, Mendenhall ran for 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns on 242 carries. In 2010, he picked up 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns on 324 attempts.

In 2011, Mendenhall racked up 928 yards on 228 carries. He scored nine touchdowns.

Until we see that he's truly done, it's hard to imagine Mendenhall not bouncing back in 2013.

4. Shonn Greene

Status: UFA

Age: 27

Experience: 4 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

276 carries, 1,063 yards, 8 touchdowns, 19 receptions, 151 yards

Shonn Greene is a bruising between-the-tackles runner who is effective at moving the chains and getting into the end zone.

Greene picked up eight rushing touchdowns and 52 first downs in 2012—both numbers ranked 11th in the NFL.

He's also lost just one fumble over the past two seasons.

Based off of past years, it's unlikely that Greene can carry a team via his running ability. If brought into a situation in which the team relies more on the pass, however, Greene can be effective as a chain-moving back.

Greene is good for 1,000 yards wherever he goes. How much further he takes it simply depends on the fit.

At 27, Greene's age could play a factor in how much he makes. If he doesn't re-sign in New York, however, he could be a valuable NFC addition.

Think Detroit Lions or Green Bay Packers.

3. Ahmad Bradshaw

Status: UFA

Age: 26

Experience: 6 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

221 carries, 1,015 yards, 6 touchdowns, 23 receptions, 245 yards

Ahmad Bradshaw is one of the more productive running backs in the NFL.

In 2012, he picked up 1,015 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Bradshaw also caught 23 passes for 245 yards.

For those concerned with his ability to protect the ball, Bradshaw has three turnovers over the past two seasons combined

Bradshaw's attitude has been questioned, but on the field, he's explosive and powerful. With respectable hands, he's also a menace in the screen game. Bradshaw averaged 10.7 yards per reception in 2012.

It certainly doesn't hurt Bradshaw's stock as a free agent to have two Super Bowl rings to his name.

Bradshaw will turn 27 in March but should have a handful of years ahead of him with quality production.

2. Reggie Bush

Status: UFA

Age: 27

Experience: 7 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

227 carries, 986 yards, 6 touchdowns, 35 receptions, 292 yards, 2 touchdowns

In 2011, Reggie Bush ran for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns on 5.0 yards per carry. He also caught 43 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown.

In 2012, Bush tallied 986 yards and six touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry. Bush hauled in 35 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

This is what you will get with Bush, as he's as versatile a back as you'll find in the NFL. Since joining Miami, he's also proved capable of being an every-down back.

Placed in the proper situation, Bush could be the spark needed for a deep postseason run—don't forget, he already has a Super Bowl ring.

Per The Palm Beach Post, Bush and the Miami Dolphins appear to be on different pages when it comes to his re-signing.

1. Steven Jackson

Status: Player Option

Age: 29

Experience: 9 Seasons

2012-13 Season Statistics

257 carries, 1,042 yards, 4 touchdowns, 38 receptions, 321 yards

Steven Jackson may be 29, but his idea of "hitting a wall" is ranking in the Top 15 in carries and rushing yards.

What's most impressive about Jackson's timeless abilities is that he played with the NFL's 18th-ranked passing offense in what is, arguably, the league's toughest defensive division.

Even still, Jackson found holes and hit them.

Assuming he's only being brought on for a three-year deal, or less, Jackson should contribute to a contender.

As stated, however, age is a factor.

At 29, Jackson could be one or two seasons away from completely exiting his prime.

With that being said, Jackson is the perfect addition to a pass-heavy team in need of a "pound-the-rock running back."

As long as he finds the proper fit, Jackson should be worth the money he commands.