NFL Free Agency 2011: Grading Every RB on the Free Agent Market

There are a lot of running backs on the market this year and all of them are hoping to either be re-signed by their current team, or hook on with a new team and get a fresh start.

The uncertainty of the NFL labor situation makes any kind of prognostication tricky, but most of these guys should find work in the 2011 season, whenever it begins.

So let's look at every running back on the market and grade them. Fullbacks are noted where applicable.

The Bottom of the Bunch

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Patrick Cobbs #38 of the Miami Dolphins runs in for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

These running backs are for depth only. For grading purposes, they are all considered a D+. That doesn't mean they can't break through and have a great year, it just reflects their current value.

Miami Dolphins: Patrick Cobbs, Lex Hilliard (FB)

Detroit Lions: Jerome Felton (FB)

Cleveland Browns: Mike Bell

Philadelphia Eagles: Jerome Harrison

More Bad News

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Reggie Torbor #50 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Kevin Smith #34 of the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

More depth for the rosters. These players also can be graded at a D+

Detroit Lions: Kevin Smith

Tennessee Titans: Ahmard Hall (FB)

Oakland Raiders: Marcel Reese (FB)

Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Leonard (FB)

St. Louis Rams: Kenneth Darby

Adding Some Quality Depth

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CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 28: Lawrence Vickers #47 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 28, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

These guys all are quality role players and add good depth to any backfield. They all get a blanket grade of "C" because none of these guys are superstars.

Cleveland Browns: Lawrence Vickers (FB)

Atlanta Falcons: Jason Snelling (FB)

Minnesota Vikings: Naufahu Tahi (FB)

New York Jets: Tony Richardson (FB)

New Orleans Saints: Heath Evans (FB)

Good Role Players

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by Charles Godfrey #30 of the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

These running backs all have shown talent, have been starters on occasion and add quality depth to any team that retains their services. For grading purposes, these players all receive C+ status.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mewelde Moore

New York Giants: Danny Ware

Green Bay Packers: Korey Hall (FB)

New England Patriots: Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris

Better Role Players

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Brian Westbrook #20 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Ima

Grade: C+

These guys just missed the cut of being great running backs on the free agent market, but they're all good enough to get decent contracts.

Atlanta Falcons: Jerious Norwood

Denver Broncos: Laurence Maroney

Houston Texans: Derrick Ward

San Francisco 49ers: Brian Westbrook

20. Tim Hightower

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 25: Runningback Tim Hightower #34 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 25, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeat

Grade: B-

Tim Hightower averaged 4.8 yards per carry in 2010.  He ran 736 yards on 153 carries and scored five touchdowns.

19. Mike Hart

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Mike Hart #32 of the Indianapolis Colts runs against the Dallas Cowboys at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cowboys defeated the Colts 38-35 in overtime. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Grade: B-

Mike Hart was pressed into service when Joseph Addai went down, and he did produce decent numbers in his one start.

18. Brandon Jackson

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (Photo by Stree

Grade: B-

Brandon Jackson got more playing time this year because of an injury to Ryan Grant. He currently is the starting running back on the Packers depth chart as shown on NFL.com, but the emergence of James Starks could change things for 2011.

17. Cadillac Williams

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 29: Cadillac Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Erik Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 29, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Grade: B-

Caddillac Williams still is averaging 3.5 yards per carry and he's now had two healthy seasons in a row.

16. Vonta Leach (FB)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Vonta Leach #44 of the Houston Texans runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Grade: B

Leach has opened a lot of holes for Arian Foster and all you have to do is look at Foster's numbers to realize how valuable Leach is.

15. John Kuhn (FB)

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: John Kuhn #30 of the Green Bay Packers addresses the media during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Pa

Grade: B

John Kuhn is the kind of fullback you want in your backfield. He's tough, he's a bruiser and he opens holes. Plus, Kuhn scored four touchdowns in 2010, so he can get in the end zone.

14. Le'Ron McClain (FB)

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Fullback Le'Ron McClain #33 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts to the crowd prior to playing the Kansas City Chiefs in their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Pho

Grade: B-

Le'Ron McClain's numbers were down this year, but his 2008 season showed he can be a great running back in the league. McClain will get a contract offer and if not from the Ravens, then from someone else.

13. Pierre Thomas

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints runs past Atlanta Falcons defender Curtis Lofton #50 in the second half during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty

Grade: B

Pierre Thomas, like most of the Saints running backs, didn't have a great 2010 season. Thomas battled injuries and only appeared in six games. He produced decent numbers prior to this year, but he's not bad if you need depth.

12. Leon Washington

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks runs down field against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Ima

Grade: B

Leon Washington had to take a backseat to Marshawn Lynch this year, but not only is he a reliable backup, he's proved to be a great return man.

11. Ricky Williams

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 05: Running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins is brought down by Sheldon Brown #24 of the Cleveland Browns at Sun Life Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Grade: B+

Ricky Williams defies his age, but not playing for a few years in your prime will do that. Williams still has value in the league and still can help a team win.

10. Joseph Addai

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo by

Grade: B+

Joseph Addai really battled injuries this year and it showed at the end of the season, or his grade would've been higher. At age 27, he's got three good years left before Father Time may come calling, five if he's lucky.

The Colts should re-sign this guy ASAP. His absence only showed how much they need him.

9. Ronnie Brown

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball in the first half against the New England Patriots on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Grade: B+

Ronnie Brown will turn 30 in December, so the age factor is in play here. That being said, Brown had a fairly good 2010 season considering how poorly the Dolphins played overall.

8. Michael Bush

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Running back Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Gett

Grade: A-

Michael Bush was a big reason the Raiders finished 8-8. There's no reason the Raiders shouldn't keep him for 2011.

7. Darren Sproles

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running Back Darren Sproles #43 of the San Diego Chargers stands on the field prior to playing against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Imag

Grade: A

Darren Sproles has proved he is a great threat with the ball out of the backfield and as a receiving back. Sproles will be a potent weapon for whoever signs him.

6. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Tim Robbins #51 of the Miami Dolphins defends on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Grade: A

The Patriots running back improved as the year went on, and he proved he can be the every-down back for any team in the league.

5. Cedric Benson

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Grade: A

Cedric Benson has been a very effective running back for Cincinnati and vocally criticized the team for moving away from the run this year. Given the Bengals' record and the failure of the passing game, it's hard to argue with him.

4. Ahmad Bradshaw

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Grade: A

Bradshaw had Fumblitis this year, but overall his production was great. The fumbling can be fixed, so Bradshaw should be okay moving forward.

3. Arian Foster

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans rushes past linebacker Kirk Morrison #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Grade: A

Arian Foster is an exclusive rights free agent and is included on this list for the sake of completeness. His worth is obvious, though, and the Texans would be dumb not to sign him to a good contract.

2. Mike Tolbert

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers reacts after being hit during a punt return by the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty

Grade: A

Mike Tolbert emerged as a powerful running back for the Chargers this year, getting 735 yards from scrimmage and averaging four yards per carry.

1. DeAngelo Williams

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

Grade: A

An injury ended Williams' season, but there's no reason to think that at 28, by the time the season begins, he doesn't have a few more great years left in him. The Panthers are in the middle of big changes and Williams could find a new life in a new city.