Before the Free Agency, DNA of Sports offers you its traditional top 5 of free agents that will be available at each position on March 10. Running back are in the spotlight today.
This cuvée of free agents is less prestigious than that of 2024, where several immense stars of the league were on the market. However, several titular runners are available and could make the heyday of their future team.
1 – Najee Harris – 26 years old
Stats 2024: 263 races, 1043 yards, 6 touchdowns, 36 receptions, 283 yards
Expected as a phenomenon during its draft in the 1st round, Najee Harris has always given the impression of being a little slow. The fault of a number of yards by worn far from being staggering. But Harris is still four seasons at more than 1000 yards and at least 6 touchdowns. He will not claim a huge contract, but he can do more than rendering services to many teams who find it difficult to establish their game on the ground.
The ideal destination: Chicago Bears
The new strong man of the Bears, Ben Johnson was successful with an attack based in particular on a duo of complementary runners. The past season Chicago had spent a lot of dollars for Andre Swift. By adding Najee Harris as a pair, the team would have a doublet capable of creating uncertainty and danger.
2 – Aaron Jones – 30 years old
Stats 2024: 255 races, 1138 yards, 5 touchdowns, 51 receptions, 408 yards, 2 touchdowns
At 30, Aaron Jones has simply had his best season as a runner. Always so explosive, there remains a double threat capable of finding the breaches on the ground and bringing a solution to the air. His age will be the only brake on a long -term contract, but Jones has made a full season, where the packers had cut it in 2024 thinking that it was worn out.
The ideal destination: Denver Broncos
The temptation to continue in Minnesota will certainly be great and the probable mutual interest. But Jones could also be courted by a team that wishes to offer more solutions to its Quarterback game. In Denver, Jones would put on this role and offer even more complete versatility and above all much more productive than Javonte Williams. Sean Payton has always loved the versatile running back like Reggie Bush or Alvin Kamara.
3 – JK Dobbins – 26 years old
Stats 2024: 195 races, 905 yards, 9 touchdowns, 32 receptions, 153 yards
What a pleasure to see JK Dobbins replayed in football. After two literally rotten seasons by injuries, the former Ravens player has recovered from the loads and almost made a full season. At only 26 years old, he still has great years ahead of him and he showed in 2024 that he still had talent to resell.
The ideal destination: Los Angeles Loaders
Why change? Dobbins found his momentum under the bolts jerseys, and he found a team that likes to run. Under the leadership of Jim Harbaugh, the loads placed the game on the ground at the heart of their attack. What continue to shine. The franchise for her part knows what she has with the player. A marriage of reason.
4 – Rico Dowdle – 26 years old
Stats 2024: 235 races, 1079 yards, 2 touchdowns, 39 receptions, 249 yards, 3 touchdowns
For his first season as a holder, Rico Dowdle did the job. With the 1000 yards bar crossed, he worked a fairly weak team as best they can in the ground play. At 26, it's time for him, a former unchrmed player, to get a contract that lives up to his value. It has the advantage of having been little used during its four years in Dallas (only 331 worn). In number 1 bis or in a duo sharing the game, it could bring a lot.
The ideal destination: Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown's hatching in 2024 is promising for the Joe Burrow team. But adding reinforcement, complementarity and talent in the squad of runners could not be an evil. Wounded in the neck in November, the future of Zach Moss remains uncertain. Adding Dowdle to the equation would allow the team to have an attractive and explosive duo capable of adding a little more threat to the attack.
5 – Nick Chubb – 29 years old
Stats 2024: 102 races, 332 yards, 3 touchdowns
Only 10 matches played in 2 years for Nick Chubb. The fault of a knee injury that brought him back late in 2024. His yards ratio by race far below what he displays in career, one can wonder about the impact of his injury on his game and his future. Has he performed because of his lack of rhythm and preparation or is the evil deeper? This is the question that a number of general managers must be asked a few days before the Free Agency. In full possession of its means, Chubb is one of the most effective runners in NFL.
The ideal destination: Pittsburgh Steelers
No need to go very far to look for the appropriate place for chubb. If Najee Harris leaves to seek fortune elsewhere, the Steelers will need a new physical runner capable of punching the lines and concretizing in Goal Line or on 3rd and short. Pittsburgh also already has in the person of Jaylen Warren, from a running back to the complementary profile, for the aerial game. Mike Tomlin has shown that relying on veterans does not scare him. A so well managed organization could also reassure the player.
Other interesting names: Javonte Williams, Cam Akers, Kareem Hunt, Kenneth Gainwell, Jeremy McNicholls, Aj Dillon, Nyheim Hynes,
