With the NFL Draft concluding last weekend, we saw a number of teams add depth at the running back position across the NFL. While there are some new exciting fits across the league, there were a few situations that could have stood to improve more at the position. Look for a small run on free agents as is common every year for teams who come away from the draft still with a few needs. Let’s take the top five highest-profile free agent running backs and put them in their best situations possible.
Best Landing Spots for the Free Agent Running Backs
Kareem Hunt – Arizona Cardinals
Going into this offseason and the draft this was one of the weakest running back rooms in the NFL. After both free agency and now the NFL Draft they have failed to make a significant upgrade. With the Cardinals having a monumental collapse in 2022, resulting in Kliff Kingsbury getting fired, they need to get things right or they could be forced into a rebuild.
Two factors strongly indicated that they should and will target a veteran running back. The first indicator is the DeAndre Hopkins situation. Hopkins seems to be up in the air his time, it was painfully evident last year that their offense needs to be more balanced. When Hopkins was suspended this offense stalled. Even with new addition Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, as well as up-and-coming Swiss army knife Rondale Moore, they couldn’t get rolling. It was obvious that Kyler couldn’t be the one to carry the load for this team.
The second factor is perhaps the biggest one with new defensive-minded head coach John Gannon. Gannon will want to do what he can to rest his defense and he needs an offense that can sustain drives in order to do so. While Conner offers ups and downs he does bring an injury risk that the Cardinals would be better off not banking on not being a problem. One veteran running back offers a skill set that would bring exactly what they need in order to make this happen.
Kareem Hunt set the league ablaze his rookie season leading the NFL in rushing. While he fell far from grace with off-the-field issues he has successfully rejuvenated his career in Cleveland. Now he is looking for a new home and the desert is the perfect match for his skill set. His is an explosive runner with a diverse skillset and low enough tread on the tires.
Kareem Hunt finds his way for SIX. #Browns
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— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
Bottom Line
James Conners’s time as a Cardinal may not be finished but he could use some help from Hunt. Perhaps Hunt could even become the feature back he was meant to be. The Cardinals should look to make a jump in their running game this season going from the middle of the league to the top. If they want to keep Kyler in Arizona their best bet is to sign free agent running back Hunt and allow him to do the heavy lifting. Maintaining ball control with keep the opposition off the field and keep Gannon’s defense fresh.
Melvin Gordon – Cincinnati Bengals
While the formerly mentioned Kareem Hunt was involved in off-field controversy earlier in his playing career, Joe Mixon seems to have found himself in a similar situation this offseason. Mixon also has dealt with injuries throughout his playing career so the Bengals having a formidable backup is a must. While losing Giovanni Bernard last offseason and Samaje Perine this offseason they clearly need to beef up at the position.
It’s not completely unrealistic to think that the Bengals could drop back and throw it fifty times a game. With Joe Burrow and the three-headed dragon at wide receiver, the sky is the limit. Balance, however, is an underrated aspect in today’s NFL. There needs to be an emphasis on limiting Burrow’s exposure, especially during the regular season.
Mixon may start and play the entire season and yet he may not. For an insurance policy, the Bengals should look for a player who has previously served in a limited role or another AFC team. That player is Melvin Gordon.
Melvin Gordon may not be the fastest nor the strongest runner with the football in his hands and yet he has been effective in most places he has been. Gordon is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition that could continue to balance this Bengals offense in the case of a Mixon suspension. Gordon plays a similar role that Mixon would in this offense and would make for a seamless transition should he become unavailable for a period of time.
Bottom Line
The Bengals finished fourth from last in rushing yards in the NFL last season. If Mixon is suspended they are in big trouble. Signing free agent running back Melvin Gordon would help give them a little insurance.
Los Angeles Chargers – Ezekiel Elliott
Austin Ekeler is said to have requested a trade from the team which could prove problematic for the Chargers. This could be especially dangerous for Brandon Staley, as he is on the hot seat and could be out of a job if Los Angeles can’t establish a ground game.
Ekeler has dealt with injuries in his career and last year, injuries had their way with this team leaving a banged-up Justin Herbert to pull this team in the playoffs. To help balance the offense and hedge their bets in case Ekeler decided to hold out or is no longer with the team, the Chargers should look to add a veteran running back.
New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore should call in a favor and get old friend Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott has filled the role of playing with a younger quarterback in Prescott as they entered the league together. He may have taken a step back over the past few years but he is still a great value for this team. Keep in mind however that his down year still featured over 800 rushing yards and over ten touchdowns, a career year for most other backs in the league.
Elliott can take a beating which helps keep Herbert and Ekeler healthy in short-yardage and goalline situations. Using him in the redzone will also minimize the jump balls which Mike Williams has frequently gotten injured on. Elliott is familiar with the system that Moore wants to install and can help bring others up to speed. Moore could use him as he looks to solidify his case to become a head coach. Elliott plays with a perfect smashmouth style to contrast with Ekelers finesse running.
Bottom Line
The Chargers finished third from last in the NFL in rushing yards last season. With Herbert playing banged up last year the Chargers should pivot to a more run heavy approach under Kellen Moore. Free agent running back Elliott helps them accomplish that.
Carolina Panthers – Leonard Fournette
While some may argue that this backfield is stacked enough, you can never surround your rookie quarterback with enough talent. The Jaguars rode Fournette all the way to the playoffs in his rookie season. The Buccaneers discovered Super Bowl Lenny at just the right time. Now he’s close to his thirties, look for this Carolina team to tap into the magic that is Leonard Fournette.
Fournette offers the perfect smash to Sanders’s dash and will be an asset if he goes down due to injury. Sanders had a solid year last season but he is far from ready to be a team’s primary option at the position. Last season he was buffered with Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Jalen Hurts. In short-yardage situations he was not the one who got the ball, Hurts did. Fournette will solve that problem.
Fournette will be an asset for the Panthers with his knowledge of the Bucs. We saw last year how A.J. Brown was able to expose Tennessee when they played against him. With three years in the organization, Fournette should have some idea of what the weaknesses of his former team are. Every little bit helps in a weakened division.
Bottom Line
While the Panthers finished middle of the league in rushing last season, that was with McCaffery for half the season and a breakout year from Foreman. With both players no longer on the roster the Panthers will have to add a player to help make up for that loss. Fournette could be just that free agent running back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyan Drake
While the fantasy football community is going nuts for Rachaad White, it’s time to pump the brakes. He had one week that he truly produced last year but even so, that was still with Tom Brady under center. With Baker Mayfield taking charge teams are less likely to respect the pass and he will be looking at more eight-man boxes.
With most of these matches paired a hard-hitting runner with a speed guy, this pairing more or less doubles down on the current strength of this backfield. Kenyan Drake, like White, has proven he is an elusive quick back who can excel as a pass catcher. Neither one of these backs are going to play a style similar to Derrick Henry but they can both turn on the jets at the second level.
As previously stated with Mayfield under center they are going to need to add more depth to the position as they can’t rely on him to throw fifty times a game in order to win. Drake not only helps fill out this roster but also offers a pair of fresh legs on passing downs for Baker.
After a historical play during his time with the Dolphins with the ‘Miami Miracle’ Drake has bounced around the league. He’s had a few impressive showings in primetime, the best of them being with Arizona. His time with the Raiders was plagued with injury and he soon was buried on the depth chart with the Ravens. He is better served as a complimentary piece who can help a younger player who has a similar skill set to him.
Bottom Line
The Bucs finished dead last in the NFL last year in rushing attempts, total rushing yards, and yards per carry. Adding an explosive free agent running back like Drake could help them get out of that rut.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze – USA Today Sports
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