NFL Power Rankings 2011: The Top Free Agent RBs and Where They Could Land
Now that the NFL regular season is over with, and most of the teams will be watching the playoffs from home, it's time that players and teams look to the future. Some teams are just a player away from turning the corner, while others have a laundry list of needs. But no matter what the teams' needs are, one thing is certain: it never hurts to have a good running back.
For the free agent running backs in 2011, they have never been a hotter commodity. Long gone are the days of a feature back. These days the NFL is a two man backfield and sharing the carries is about preserving two guys, instead of wearing one guy out. So here are a list of the top RB free agents, and where they might land this offseason.
Arian Foster
1 of 15
Current Team: Houston Texans
His Value: High. Arian Foster led the NFL in rushing yards, beating out proven commodities like Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. He was the breakout star of the 2010-11 season, and he'll be looking for a huge payday.
His Landing Spot: Texas. The Texans can retain exclusive rights to him and they can give him all world money. They know that he is the future of the team and the necessary piece they need if they want to be a playoff team. They won't let Foster go for anything.
Darren Sproles
2 of 15
Current Team: San Diego Chargers
His Value: Medium. Sproles didn't work out in San Diego like they hoped he would. They wanted him to become the feature back after they let Ladanian Tomlinson go, but it never panned out. They used him more as a receiver than they did a feature back.
His Landing Spot: Minnesota. They have seen what losing Chester Taylor has done to their backfield. They need a shifty runner who can catch a pass and pick up a blitz. Sproles would fit in well there and San Diego won't pay him the money he would want to stay.
Pierre Thomas
3 of 15
Current Team: New Orleans Saints
Current Value: Low. He's coming off a sub-par season. He was usurped by Chris Ivory as the feature back of the New Orleans offense, and he's coming off an injury plagued year as well. While Thomas is still young enough to have value, he's likely to worry teams more than he will excite them.
His Landing Spot: Green Bay. It might seem like a stretch, but with the health of Ryan Grant not being clear going forward, the Packers will need to get a better insurance policy. Look for Thomas to head to Green Bay and provide them with a backup plan.
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Leon Washington
4 of 15
Current Team: Seattle Seahawks
His Value: High. While Washington didn't do much for the Seahawks in the backfield, he was a boon to them in their return game. He had 3 kick return touchdowns and was the biggest special teams threat not named Devin Hester.
His Landing Spot: Seattle. The Seahawks know is worth and they are going to pay him handsomely to stick around. He should be a bigger part of the running game next year( he had just 27 carries in 2010).
Jason Snelling
5 of 15
Current Team: Atlanta Falcons
His Value: High. Or at least higher than many think. He had the unfortunate curse of playing behind Michael Turner, but don't let his lack of production fool anyone. When he got to play he was effective. He can catch passes out of the backfield, and he is only in his fifth season.
His Landing Spot: New York Jets. The Jets are in need of a punishing fullback that can get involved in the offense, and open up the passing game to an error prone Mark Sanchez. With Tomlinson slowing down toward the end of the season, look for the Jets to sign this physical back.
Ronnie Brown
6 of 15
Current Team: Miami Dolphins
His Value: Medium. He's got talent, and anyone who has followed the Dolphins will tell you that. But facts are facts. He has rushed for 1000 yards only once in his career. Up until this year he has only played one 16 game season.
His Landing Spot: Miami. He isn't getting any younger and going out on the market won't bring him any big pay day. Chances are he's heading back to the Dolphins, especially if Sparano stays seeing as how he knows the system. He'll take the best offer he can get and that's in Miami.
Ricky Williams
7 of 15
Current Team: Miami Dolphins
His Value: High. There is a lot not to like about Ricky Williams, but his production isn't one of them. While he can be curt with the media, and not a great locker room guy, he has averaged over four yards per carry for the last three seasons. And between time out of the league, and limited use on the Dolphins, his legs are a bit younger than his age.
His Landing Spot: San Francisco. They are in need of a good back to help out Frank Gore. Ricky will come pretty cheap and San Fran is a laid back city, which should suit his personality well.
Michael Bush
8 of 15
Current Team: Oakland Raiders
His Value: High. But it's only high in Oakland. Bush isn't a feature back, and teams don't think he can handle a full time load. He doesn't have explosiveness he once did, but he's healthier than Darren McFadden.
His Landing Spot: Oakland. It's likely they will want to protect themselves in case something happens to Darren. They'll sign him just for insurance.
Cadillac Williams
9 of 15
Current Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
His Value: Low. He was replaced as the feature back in Tampa, and his whole career has been less than amazing. Disappointing is the most appropriate term. It's likely that he isn't high on anyones list.
His Landing Spot: Philadelphia. While LeSean McCoy has been the feature back there for a couple of years now, they are always looking to add a good veteran to the mix. Cadillac is capable and he caught passes out of the backfield a lot this season. He could be a good fit there.
Ahmad Bradshaw
10 of 15
Current Team: New York Giants
His Value: High. With 1500 yards from scrimmage this season, Bradshaw's stock may never be higher than it is right now.
His Landing Spot: New York Giants. They know that there aren't other backs out there coming off the season he is. If they want to stay relevant in a competitive division, they'll get Bradshaw and lock him up.
Cedric Benson
11 of 15
Current Team: Cincinnati Bengals
His Value: High. He's still a pretty young back and his coming off another 1,000 yard season. He's the kind of back that needs the right system for him to be effective, but there are teams out there.
His Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers. It's a good place for him to go. Cincinnati might try and keep him even though they have another back, but if Harbaugh comes to Carolina, look for him to want to pound the ball, and that's right up Benson's alley.
Vonta Leach
12 of 15
Current Team: Houston Texans
His Value: High. A Pro Bowl Fullback, Leach is just the type of big back that a lot of teams need in their running game.
His Landing Spot: Houston. Like Foster, the Texans know his true worth. They'll do whatever they have to so he'll be blocking for Foster for years to come.
John Kuhn
13 of 15
Current Team: Green Bay Packers
His Value: Medium. He's doesn't bring stats to the table, and there is nothing he is exceptional at, but the locker room loves him, and so do the fans. He does his job and goes about his business quietly.
His Landing Spot: Green Bay. Kuhn won't command big money on the open market, and the Packers like his blocking ability. He'll stay home.
Mike Tolbert
14 of 15
Current Team: San Diego Chargers
His Value: High. The Chargers know just how important Tolbert was to a struggling running game this season. With Ryan Matthews on the shelf for most of the year, Tolbert carried the running game almost by himself.
His Landing Spot: San Diego. It's silly to think San Diego will let him go. If they let Sproles go, it will be to make room in the cap space for Tolbert.
Joseph Addai
15 of 15
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
His Value: Low. It would be tough to put all the Colts struggles in the running game on Addai, but someone has to take the blame. 2007 was the last time he rushed for 1,000 yards, and 2006 was the last time he played a full season. It's tough to think of another team that would take a chance on him.
His Landing Spot: St. Louis. The Rams are always in need of someone who can spell Stephen Jackson, and Addai is a good man for the job. However, if the Colts don't think they can get better than Addai, they'll look to bring him back again.
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