Running back as a position has been devalued recently in the NFL but that didn’t keep teams from snatching up ball-carriers all over the draft. For those teams that might still have some holes in the backfield, here are the five best free agent running backs left on the market.
Bernard Pierce, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015: six carries, 11 yards, 1.8 yards per carry, no touchdowns, three receptions, seven yards, Age 25
Pierce was beat up most of last season and never got going for the Jaguars. In his three seasons before he was a solid back up running back for the Baltimore Ravens and key role-player in their offense. His best year was his rookie season, which is also the best offensive line he played behind. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry, carried 108 times for 532 yards and a touchdown.
Pierce is a solid pass-blocker and can pick up the blitz and can produce in the passing game. His contract shouldn’t be expensive, somewhere around $500-600,000 a season too which should make him an easy pick up as camp rosters begin sorting out. Best fits: New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts
Toby Gerhart, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015: 20 carries, 44 yards, three catches, 23 yards, age 29
Gerhart, like Pierce, never got out of the gate in Jacksonville after they signed him to a decent free agent contract in 2014. Back when he was with the Minnesota Vikings he never averaged over 4.0 yards per carry for three of his four seasons, with his high-water mark coming in 2013 when he racked up 7.9 yards a touch.
Gerhart, in spite of getting picked way too high in every fantasy football draft you participated in last year. He then got himself hurt just like Pierce and replaced by rookie running back T.J.Yeldon. Gerhart has made all the big money he’s going to make and should be signable in that same $500-600,000 range as Pierce. Best fits: Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers
Reggie Bush, RB, San Francisco 49ers
2015: eight carries, 28 yards, four catches, 19 yards, Age 31
Bush became more than just an offensive role-player when he left the New Orleans Saints for the Miami Dolphins back in 2011. He piled up two 1,000-yard seasons with Miami and nearly had a third, gaining 986 yards in 2012. He never averaged less than 4.3 yards per carry. He followed that stint up with a 1,000-yard season with the Detroit Lions before fizzling out and playing in only 11 games in 2014.
Last season Bush signed with the 49ers in an effort to make a “thunder and lightning” backfield with Carlos Hyde, but Bush got hurt by slipping on a concrete walkway at the dome in St. Louis and actually has a lawsuit against the city over the injury. He should win it. That place was a hell hole.
Bush can still be a dynamic playmaker and weapon on special teams and third down. His days of huge contracts are behind him, but if his speed, shiftiness and playmaking ability should be worth at least $1 million to somebody in 2016. Best fits: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Giants
Steven Jackson, RB, New England Patriots
2015: 21 carries, 50 yards, 2.4 yards per carry, one touchdown, one reception, 20 yards, Age 32
Steven Jackson is probably not going to play in the NFL again. Last year he waited all the way to the end of the season before signing with a contender, spending two regular season games with the New England Patriots. At least he got to play in a conference championship.
Injuries have plagued Jackson as a starting back since 2011. Jackson is the all-time leading rusher in St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams history and never shied away from contact. He was underrated in the passing game and one of the best pass-blockers and blitz blockers over the last decade in the NFL. His style also kept him banged up over the last few seasons and cost him his eight-year 1,000-yard streak from 2005-2012.
If a contender calls, Jackson will probably answer to be a back-up and third-down option. Best fits: San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers
Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
2015: 63 carries, 163 yards, 2.6 yards per carry, one touchdown, 22 catches, 227 yards, two touchdowns, Age 29
Arian Foster is just a season removed from his last 1,000-yard season and about four years away from his last hamburger. Foster’s recent injury history has kept him on the market in spite of his age and history of production. He appeared in just four games last year and never looked all the great during them. The Texans ended up making the playoffs without him and sent him packing this offseason.
Foster has been linked to New England and will certainly get another chance on at least a one-year deal. Foster can afford to wait for a contender to call, but the problem is there aren’t that many in need of his services. Best fits: New England Patriots, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys
