Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The once-electric 2017 NFL Draft class had some of the best running backs of the past five years. Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, and even Leonard Fournette all came from this class. While they’re on the market, Christian McCaffrey is still lighting up defenses. Who are the best free agent running backs, 2017 class and otherwise, and what are their best team fits?
Best Free Agent Running Backs Still Available
5. Kenyon Drake
Drake might not be the coolest free agent running back, but he’s useful to an offense. So far in his career, he has been very useful as a pass-catching back. He will never be an every-down back but is a solid depth piece or third-down back for a team looking to make a run. With offenses all over the league looking for weapons, Drake should find a job sooner rather than later. In 2022 Drake had 571 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens. As far as free agent running backs go, there are worse options than Drake.
Best fit: Baltimore Ravens
4. Leonard Fournette
At one point Fournette seemed unstoppable. His bald head and mean rushing style fit perfectly with the NFL, and Tom Brady loved to force-feed him targets. Now he has been linked to multiple teams, and may find himself as an October addition rather than a key cog in an offense. In 2022 he had 1191 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Best fit: Los Angeles Chargers
3. Ezekiel Elliott
Zeke has unfortunately been run into the ground. He has 300 more touches than Derrick Henry, who is a year and a half older than him. At one time Elliott was a top running back in the league, now he is out of the job and hoping to find any job the NFL will give him. His massive contract is another check in the box for the folks saying the running back position doesn’t matter anymore. Zeke had a solid 2022, amassing 968 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 12 touchdowns. He will slot in as a team’s short-yardage back, or a very capable backup.
Best Fit: Carolina Panthers
2. Kareem Hunt
Despite his off-the-field issues, Hunt has been explosive in his career. He doesn’t have nearly the wear and tear as these other players due to splitting a backfield in Cleveland. He is extremely capable as a rusher and a receiver even at this stage of his career. While in their primes he was nowhere near Ezekiel Elliot or Leonard Fournette, they have both endured unreasonable workloads to this point in their careers. While Zeke, Fournette, and this next player are all top ten in career touches, Hunt is still just over 1100 total touches in his career. Hunt tallied 678 total yards and four touchdowns, even while being held out amidst trade rumors. As Hunt is added to an offense, he will provide an Alvin Kamara-type role despite not having nearly the same track record of success.
Best Fit: New Orleans Saints
1. Dalvin Cook
Cook’s possible cut was a centerpiece of NFL News for weeks. While it is a slow part of the news cycle, Cook is also the best free agent running back available by quite a bit. The Minnesota Vikings used and abused him, but he was talented enough to keep performing. Cook should draw interest from any team willing to pay him, and he likely understands he won’t receive a long-term deal. He has been to the Pro Bowl four times, and is routinely named in the top five to ten running backs across the NFL. Whatever offense he signs with immediately has a back with a bell-cow history but with fresh enough legs to continue to contribute.
Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Was Dalvin Cook a top three back in the 2017 NFL Draft? pic.twitter.com/iR4p5bxrhH
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) June 13, 2023
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
