New Landing Spot Predictions for 2025 NFL Free Agent RBs After Franchise Tag Deadline

Saquon Barkley brought sexy back to the running back position.

In a world where the phrase, "running backs have been devalued," is spouted ad nauseam, Barkley flipped the script.

Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million free-agent contract. Barkley only went on to set the single-season rushing record (regular+postseason) and help the Eagles claim their second Lombardi Trophy. Afterward, the organization rewarded the running back by making him the highest-paid at his position.

Obviously, Barkley is special. No one in this year's free-agent class comes close to his caliber. Yet the league's top six rushing offenses all made the playoffs last season.

As NFL defenses have deployed heavier zone looks by dropping more into coverage to prevent chunk pass plays, an offense's counterpunch became obvious: Take advantage of the numbers game and employ a more physical rushing attack. It's worked.

Even though this year's class lacks at true star, six unrestricted free agents should have strong markets to land elsewhere.

Nick Chubb: Los Angeles Rams

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Nick Chubb may be the biggest name on this list, but he'll likely take the longest to get signed.

Three years ago, Chubb was the game's best pure runner and firmly in the conversation as the NFL's best running back. But he'll turn 30 by the end of this year and he's yet to show a full recovery from a devastating knee injury suffered in 2023.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that the Browns are expected to let Chubb test free agency and likely leave this offseason.

Chubb should no longer be viewed as an elite workhorse. But he can still be a valuable contributor in the right situation, especially since he's unlikely to demand top dollar.

The Los Angeles Rams are a fascinating fit. First, former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt serves on Sean McVay's staff. Second, Chubb is surely looking to make a run with a contender. In this particular instance, he can serve as a complementary piece to Kyren Williams and give the Rams a strong one-two punch.

Other ball-carriers on this list will draw more attention at the start of free agency. Still, Chubb can be a critical component.

Aaron Jones: Denver Broncos

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Aaron Jones turned 30 last year, but he showed that he still has plenty of juice by posting his fourth 1,000-yard rushing campaign in the last six seasons.

Despite reaching the dreaded age plateau for running backs, Jones remains the best option on the market. Jones simply won't have the leverage to demand a long-term contract. Instead, he's now a gun for hire.

The Denver Broncos are in a strong position because they made a significant leap a season ago with rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm.

Now that Nix is established as the starter, the Broncos can build the roster while not having a massive investment in the game's most important position.

A viable ground attack is always beneficial for a quarterback. The Broncos don't have a ball-carrier who produced more than 500 yards last season. Javonte Williams (more on him in a bit) is expected to leave in free agency.

Jones is an immediate and significant upgrade. He gives head coach/offensive play-caller Sean Payton an Alvin Kamara-like weapon who can be used in both phases. Denver can then take advantage of a strong incoming running back class and draft a long-term option to learn from Jones.

Najee Harris: New York Giants

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When looking at potential free-agent matches, two factors often come into play: money and the ties that bind.

Players like familiarity. On the surface, the New York Giants and Najee Harris may not make the most sense, particularly with last year's play from rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Harris isn't going to step in the G-Men's lineup and serve as the bell cow. But that's probably the case wherever he lands.

Keep the following in mind: Giants head coach Brian Daboll was the Alabama Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator when Harris entered the program. Their relationship could easily play into where the running back lands.

Furthermore, New York should look to build a strong ground attack.

While the Giants remain active in the veteran quarterback market, they're not guaranteed to land a long-term option. The organization already whiffed on Matthew Stafford. Sam Darnold could be next on the docket. Any other free-agent acquisition should be viewed as a bridge.

However, sentiment around league circles is that the Giants will make a play to trade up for the No. 1 overall pick, thus landing their preferred quarterback prospect, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

A backfield comprised of Tracy and Harris to shoulder a significant workload will take pressure off a high-profile rookie signal-caller.

J.K. Dobbins: Dallas Cowboys

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J.K. Dobbins should re-sign with the Los Angeles Chargers because the pairing is the best overall fit. But no one can blame the back for testing the free-agent waters, especially after a strong season.

Dobbins will simultaneously try to maximize his contractual worth while dealing with the fact an extensive injury history will mitigate his asking price.

The running back has never played a full regular-season NFL slate. He dealt with ACL and Achilles tendon injuries during the previous three campaigns prior to joining the Chargers, with only nine game appearances during that stretch.

Even last year, Dobbins suffered an MCL sprain. Clearly, any potential suitor will be cautious due to the extensive medical record on the running back's lower body.

Yet the 26-year-old proved to still be explosive last season, particularly early in the year. If his medicals check out and considering his age, the risk may be well worth it for a team in search of a running back upgrade.

The Dallas Cowboys have just entered the chat.

With Ezekiel Elliott gone (again) and Rico Dowdle set to test free agency, the Boys need a new lead back. Dobbins is the type of runner who can create a different dynamic in Brian Schottenheimer's offense while the team doubles-down by adding another back in the draft to improve upon last season's bottom-six ground game.

Rico Dowdle: New England Patriots

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Sixteen different running backs eclipsed 1,000 yards during the 2024 NFL season. Rico Dowdle may have been the most surprising since he accumulated all of 385 during his first three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dowdle deserves credit for playing well down the stretch when the Cowboys didn't have quarterback Dak Prescott behind center.

Over Dallas' final seven contests, the former undrafted free agent ran for 677 yards, including four 100-yard efforts. His success late in the campaign should create some momentum as Dowdle enters free agency.

Considering how Dowdle entered the league and the need to strike at the right time, he should be looking for the best opportunity where he can maximize his contractual value.

The New England Patriots have plenty of money to spend as the team with the most salary-cap space entering this offseason, and the roster requires upgrades nearly everywhere, particularly with Drake Maye's supporting cast.

Everyone on the outside can make the same educated guess that the Patriots will look to beef up their offensive line and find a semblance of a run game with Mike Vrabel as the franchise's new head coach.

Dowdle can replace the turnover-prone Rhamondre Stevenson as the team's lead back. From there, the Patriots can reinvest in the running back position by taking advantage of a strong draft class.

Javonte Williams: Minnesota Vikings

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Whoever signs Javonte Williams will do so banking on his enormous potential. In this particular case, the Minnesota Vikings make the move in an attempt to replace Aaron Jones.

The Vikings are slowly becoming known as an organization for reclamation projects based on what happened with Sam Darnold last season. However, a previous relationship comes into play here as well.

Curtis Modkins serves as the Vikings running backs coach. He held the same job with the Denver Broncos when Williams entered the league as a rookie. It's still the back's best season.

In 2021, Williams ran for 903 yards. He looked to be on the verge of stardom. Unfortunately, Williams suffered a major knee injury in Year 2, where he tore his ACL, LCL and PCL.

The former second-round draft pick has never quite recovered or become the explosive runner many believed he could be. But he's still only 24 years old and now two-and-a-half years removed from the injury.

Minnesota has arguably the best chance of getting the most out of Williams.