NFL Free Agency: Power Ranking the Top 25 Available Free-Agent Running Backs
The days of the workhorse runner are coming to an end in the NFL. Teams are now employing as many as three running backs in their committees to preserve runners for the stretch run of the NFL season. You’ll notice that not a single runner in this year’s pool of free agents worked outside a committee last season.
Only a handful of players in this year’s pool could be deemed starters. Still, as nearly every team employs two or three runners, there are still plenty of solid unrestricted and restricted free-agent running backs to be had this year.
The pool is highlighted by DeAngelo Williams and Ahmad Bradshaw. Both have the ability to do it all in the NFL, but who sits atop this power ranking?
25. LenDale White
1 of 25
Career Stats: 628 attempts, 2,349 yards, 24 touchdowns
Although he has a poor attitude and work ethic, LenDale can still be used as a fairly effective short-yardage and goal-line back. If he is on a team with a great offensive line that can create gaping running lanes, he has the quickness to explode through the hole.
He is still young enough to succeed in the league if he improves his work ethic and character issues. One would have to hope that after being cut from Tennessee and losing out on a job in Denver, that he would get the hint.
24. Kevin Smith
2 of 25
Career Stats: 489 attempts, 1,856 yards, 12 touchdowns
Kevin Smith’s career started out extremely promising in Detroit. He displayed great speed, vision and the ability to catch out of the backfield. He was becoming one of the more reliable all-around three-down backs in the game until he suffered a devastating knee injury.
Smith is still working his way back to being in tip-top game shape but, as we’ve seen with Cadillac Williams and a host of other young running backs, there is still a great chance that he can regain form and be a productive back in a committee.
23. Willie Parker
3 of 25
Career Stats: 1,253 attempts, 5,378 yards, 24 touchdowns
“Fast” Willie Parker isn’t exactly blazing the field anymore, but he is still an experienced, proven running back. We often see veterans jump from team to team and finally regain their lost step for half a season—the same could happen to Willie.
Parker could be a fine mentor to some of the young, smaller backs in the game. He always had great vision and knew when to hit the hole quickly, so for that he could still serve his role on a team as a reserve.
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22. Jerome Harrison
4 of 25
Career Stats: 342 attempts, 1,640 yards, 7 touchdowns
Two years ago we saw Harrison emerge as one of the most productive running backs in the league for the stretch run of the season in Cleveland. He has once again been delegated to a reserve role after losing the starting job to Peyton Hillis and being traded to Philadelphia last year.
Harrison can still be an extremely productive No. 2 runner and spot starter. He has all-around solid speed, power and agility. He is quick enough to make defenders miss and has the vision to hit the hole quickly.
21. Mike Hart
5 of 25
Career Stats: 71 attempts, 264 yards, 2 touchdowns
Mike Hart is one of the greatest running backs in Michigan history. Although he is not the biggest, strongest or fastest, he is simply a solid runner. He has good vision and knows when to hit the hole. He has injury concerns, but he can be a very good relief back in this league.
He is still entering the prime of his career and, with his collegiate background, he could very well be a breakout candidate.
20. Larry Johnson
6 of 25
Career Stats: 1,426 attempts, 6,221 yards, 55 touchdowns
Although I’m not a believer in Larry Johnson, he is still an experienced back who has a few remarkable seasons under his belt. Depending on his recent workout regimen, he should be able to be used as a goal line or short-yardage back to push piles.
He was once one of the most effective backs in the game and could even receive out of the backfield so, if he can regain his lost step like we often see with over-the-hill veterans, he could be an effective No. 2 or No. 3 runner.
19. Clinton Portis
7 of 25
Career Stats: 2,230 attempts, 9,923 yards, 75 touchdowns
Clinton Portis has a ton of wear and tear on his body. He has been physically beaten down in recent years and unable to perform due to injury.
Still, one team can take a chance on this experienced, proven running back in hopes that he can replicate what LaDainian Tomlinson did in New York last season. He is still a shifty runner with fine speed, great receiving abilities and vision. He can certainly help younger runners and any team late in the season in need of veteran experience for the stretch run of the season into the playoffs.
18. Le’Ron McClain
8 of 25
Career Stats: 314 attempts, 1,185 yards, 12 touchdowns
Le’Ron McClain can serve as a lead-blocking fullback, so he offers versatility as a signing. Still, he may be the most powerful running back on this list and can power his way through just about any defender in the game.
For any team in search of a short-yardage, goal-line back who can more than push a pile, McClain would be an excellent signing.
17. Jason Snelling
9 of 25
Career Stats: 257 attempts, 1,042 yards, 7 touchdowns
Snelling has been excellent in Atlanta relieving Michael Turner when injured. This is a north-south runner who can demolish would-be tacklers. He has the power and strength to push the pile and would be an excellent short-yardage back. He can even be used as a receiver out of the backfield if necessary, but he is much better-suited running through defenders to close a game or wear them out early.
16. Leon Washington
10 of 25
Career Stats: 397 attempts, 1,882 yards, 14 touchdowns
It was great to see Leon Washington return from his devastating knee injury to set Seattle return records last year. He was a promising back in New York and is now back on track. He is an explosive player who can catch out of the backfield and should be a fine spot-starter. He is a fantastic change-of-pace back with his speed, high-motor, work ethic and determination.
15. Brian Westbrook
11 of 25
Career Stats: 1,385 attempts, 6,335 yards, 41 touchdowns
Although getting up there in age, Westbrook proved late last season that he can still be a great spot-starter and backup in the NFL. With his experience, vision, receiving ability and agility, he can still carve up and exploit defenses.
Any team looking for a proven veteran who can pick up the system quickly, produce and teach other running backs on the roster, need to take a look, and a chance, on Brian Westbrook. He is the type of player who can benefit contending teams in the postseason with his knowledge of the game and playoff experience.
14. Brandon Jackson
12 of 25
Career Stats: 347 attempts, 1,329 yards, 7 touchdowns
When Ryan Grant was forced to miss the remainder of the 2010 season following a Week 1 ankle injury, head coach Mike McCarthy said that Brandon Jackson would be able to fill in just fine as a starter.
Jackson is a fine player who has good burst and very good receiving abilities. He is a fine spot starter but, as we saw last season, is not reliable long term. More importantly, he lacks the desired strength and power to push the pile and score in the red zone. Still, he is a fine complement to have in the backfield as a No. 2 runner.
13. Laurence Maroney
13 of 25
Career Stats: 618 attempts, 2,504 yards, 21 touchdowns
Although Maroney has flamed out in recent years, I still believe that this powerful downhill runner still has what it takes to bounce back. He can still be a solid back up with his overall strength and quickness; he just needs another opportunity to showcase his abilities.
He needs to find a way to stay healthy and, once he can do so, he’ll be a very good back up and spot-starter.
12. Cadillac Williams
14 of 25
Career Stats: 968 attempts, 3,677 yards, 20 touchdowns
It is difficult to root against Caddy Williams considering the two devastating knee injuries he suffered years back.
Despite the injuries, he worked himself back into game shape and has been a productive back the past two seasons. He needs to be in a backup role to preserve his health and better utilize his strengths in the aerial attack. He is a solid receiver out of the backfield, but one always has to wonder about his knee.
11. Ricky Williams
15 of 25
Career Stats: 2,322 attempts, 9,565 yards, 64 touchdowns
Despite having over 2,000 carries on his body, he does not have the wear and tear as most aging veterans, due to his abrupt retirement years back. He can still be a viable spot-starter and a great all-purpose secondary back.
He has fine speed, power, vision and receiving ability. He also has the nose for the end zone every organization wants from their running back. He knows how to preserve his body throughout the season and is one of the more reliable, cheaper options on the market.
10. Darren Sproles
16 of 25
Career Stats: 249 attempts, 1,154 yards, 6 touchdowns
Darren Sproles is still an excellent change-of-pace back for any team right now. He is a great spark plug off the bench who can electrify the crowd and light up defenses. He has incredible speed and is a great receiver out of the back field. This is the type of secondary back who can excel in the NFL on a team desperately searching for a player who does not need a lot of touches to change the entire game.
He would have been a great fit in Atlanta with Michael Turner, but they drafted Jacquizz Rodgers in the fifth round. Now Miami looks like an ideal landing spot with second-round rookie Daniel Thomas.
9. Cedric Benson
17 of 25
Career Stats: 1,256 attempts, 4,702 yards, 25 touchdowns
Cedric Benson is fairly low considering who is above him on the list, but Benson is on the downside of his career, has a lot of carries under his belt and does not excel in any one area on the field.
He is not a very talented runner and won’t make plays for himself. He relies too much on his offensive line to get the job done for him as he is strictly a downhill runner and will not help much as a receiver.
8. Michael Bush
18 of 25
Career Stats: 376 attempts, 1,665 yards, 14 touchdowns
Bush is a serviceable No. 2 back for just about any team in the game. He has fine speed, power and receiving ability. He does come with a bit of injury concerns and was recently arrested this offseason, which will decrease his value this free agency period.
Still, he has an opportunity to use this offseason to get on the right track and apply himself to better his abilities on the field. He should be an affordable option for a team to take a chance on as a No. 2 running back.
7. Tim Hightower
19 of 25
Career Stats: 439 attempts, 1,733 yards, 23 touchdowns
If Tim Hightower can fix his fumbling woes, he will be an even better No. 2 running back in this league. He has fine speed and vision, has a nose for the end zone and is a great check-down option for any team.
His receiving ability out of the back field is where he is most dangerous and becomes difficult to defend. He can gain a ton of yardage in underneath coverage, and in the flats. More importantly, he has the innate knack to get the ball across the stripe.
6. Mike Tolbert
20 of 25
Career Stats: 220 attempts, 920 yards, 12 touchdowns
A converted fullback, we saw last year how dangerous this bruising back can become. He scored 11 touchdowns and ran for over 700 yards in his breakout season when Ryan Mathews went down. Even when Mathews finally returned, San Diego still leaned heavily on Tolbert’s ability to destroy would-be tacklers and barrel his way into the end zone.
Any team in need of a short yardage, goal line or change-of-pace back needs to take a long, hard look at Mike Tolbert. He was given his opportunity last year and ran away with it, proving that he has what it takes to be a viable option in any rushing attack.
5. Ronnie Brown
21 of 25
Career Stats: 1,128 attempts, 4,815 yards, 36 touchdowns
I will forever have my reservations about Ronnie Brown. Although a highly talented and versatile player, he cannot seem to truly stay healthy, even in a committee.
I can only hope for this rapidly-aging back with a checkered injury history that he can switch teams and finally stay healthy.
Brown could be a major weapon for one team as a No. 2 back. He has the talents to exploit defenses with his receiving ability, vision and nose for the end zone.
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
22 of 25
Career Stats: 329 attempts, 1,397 yards, 18 touchdowns
“Law Firm” is a downhill runner who could become a starter or closer for some teams. He has fine speed, but it is his ability to hit the hole quickly and power through defenders that will make him one of the more sought-after free agents if New England lets him walk.
He is used to playing in a committee, coming from the Patriots offensive system, so sharing carries won’t be an issue for this back. In fact, he is the type of runner who benefits from being in a committee as he can stay fresh.
3. Joseph Addai
23 of 25
Career Stats: 977 attempts, 4,020 yards, 38 touchdowns
Although Addai is frequently injured and doesn’t possess great speed, he is a quality back who can run between the tackles, catch and protect the passer. More importantly, he has a nose for the end zone.
He is a proven winner who can be a valuable asset to any team in this league. He is an intelligent back and just needs to stay healthy to get back into the higher running-back tiers in the NFL. Addai could be another case of a player switching teams and staying healthy for the long haul.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw
24 of 25
Career Stats: 529 attempts, 2,558 yards, 17 touchdowns
Ahmad Bradshaw is one of the top young running backs in this league. He has excellent speed, power, vision and receiving ability. His only knock is ball security, as evident by his fumblitis last season.
Other than his fumbling woes, he has every other skill coaches are looking for to secure their backfield. He has the ability to be a featured back on just about any team in this league.
I fully expect him back with the Giants as he could be the catalyst that takes the team back to the Super Bowl—if he can correct his fumbling issues, which we saw all-time Giants great Tiki Barber do at the end of his career.
1. DeAngelo Williams
25 of 25
Career Stats: 841 attempts, 4,211 yards, 31 touchdowns
DeAngelo Williams is clearly the cream of the crop in this year’s pool of running-back free agents. He can do everything asked—run between the tackles, run to the outside, fantastic speed and power, pass blocking and receiving abilities.
D-Will is the definition of a featured back with his all-around talent and natural gifts. He does come with some injury concerns, but none that will hinder his ability to perform. This is a Pro Bowl-caliber runner who has shown MVP-type talent.
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