Free Agent Preview: Running Backs, ...RBs and FBs Options

[Jason Wood]

From today's blog post:

2008 NFL Free Agency Preview: Running Backs
Filed under: Free Agency, NFL, Footballguys, News, RB — Jason Wood @ 11:03 pm Edit This

No position gets fantasy football owners riled up like the running back spot. It’s where our fantasy bread is buttered so to speak; or at least that’s the case in most seasons. Conventional wisdom is that free agent RBs aren’t an ideal approach; as teams prefer to build via the draft. The heavy workload limits most RBs optimum years; and it’s difficult to generate value once a veteran RB gets ready for his big payday.

While building through the draft will remain a core tenet, signing (or trading for) the right tailback can still yield results. Last season, Jamal Lewis (Cleveland) and Willis McGahee (Baltimore) both finished as top-8 fantasy backs, for example. And let’s not forget the huge role Ryan Grant played for Green Bay; Grant was acquired late in the preseason from the Giants via trade.

Two potentially attractive options are already off the table:

* Jamal Lewis signed a 3-year contract to remain with the Browns
* Justin Fargas re-signed with the Raiders with a 3-year contract

But the cupboard isn’t completely bare; there are a number of former 1,000-yard rushers available, a former Heisman Trophy winner and, possibly, a former NFL MVP.

The Top Running Backs on the Market

1. Marion Barber (6′0″, 221 pounds, 24 years old) — Barber is a restricted free agent and his agent is already negotiating a long-term extension with the Cowboys. But Barber is such a talent that it’s not inconceivable another team would be willing to give him big dollars and part with draft picks to sign him. Barber emerged two seasons ago sharing time with Julius Jones, and took over a larger role as the 2007 wore on. He’s scored a whopping 24 rushing TDs in 339 carries over the last two season, and added 67 catches and four receiving TDs. Expect Dallas to lock him up and be the feature runner in 2008.
2. Michael Turner (5′10″, 237 pounds, 25 years old) — Michael “The Burner” Turner has been waiting for his chance. It’s not easy being a backup to the league’s best runner; particularly one as durable as LaDainian Tomlinson. Turner is, by far, the most intriguing unrestricted free agent runner on the market, and some team will sign him with an eye toward making him their new starter. He’ll have a lot to prove, having never logged more than 80 carries in a season, scored more than 3 TDs, or caught more than 4 passes; there are questions he must answer if he’s going to land a monster deal.
3. Julius Jones (5′10″, 208 pounds, 26 years old) – Jones’ play fell off considerably last year (588 yards, 3.6 yards-per-carry, 2 TDs) but should generate considerable interest in free agency. He’s a high character player with more than 50 games under his belt as a starter. He’s never been given a chance to carry the ball 300+ times, yet rushed for more than 1,000-yards in 2006 and nearly did the same in 2005. While not a world beater, Jones would be an upgrade for a number of teams and would make a fantastic part of a committee.
4. DeShaun Foster (6′0″, 222 pounds, 28 years old) — Foster has been the bane of fantasy owners for years; yet the Carolina Panthers seemingly disagreed with us. Yet, after six seasons, the Panthers released Foster and will finally hand the ball over to D’Angelo Williams. Despite logging a career high 247 carries in 2007, Foster failed to run for 900 yards. He’s never run for more than 897 yards in the season, nor rushed for more than 3 TDs. However, Foster’s enticing combination of size and speed are likely to earn him another shot at competing for a starting gig; much to the dismay of fantasy owners everywhere.
5. Chris Brown (6′3″, 220 pounds, 26 years old) — Brown sought free agent riches last year and found no takers; so he came back to Tennessee with his tail between his legs. A year later, he finds himself in a similar position as the Titans are set with youngsters Lendale White and Chris Henry. Brown is a big back capable of racking up impressive stats when healthy and motivated. In just 102 carries last year, he scored 5 TDs and ran for 462 yards. Don’t expect Brown to land big guaranteed dollars, but some team will give him a one or two-year deal with incentives, for sure.
6. Derrick Ward (5′11″, 228 pounds, 27 years old) – Ward played a huge role for the Giants last year, particularly while starter Brandon Jacobs was nursing injuries. He’s a big back who runs hard, but brings an added dimension as a receiver that many backs his size can’t. Ward broke his fibula late in the year but is healthy now, and could be an interesting and inexpensive pickup for a team looking to add depth. The Giants have already begun negotiating with Ward’s agent; so he may be off the market before other teams get a chance to make their pitch.
7. Tatum Bell (5′11″, 213 pounds, 26 years old) – What to make of Tatum Bell? He could never win over Mike Shanahan in Denver, and seemed to land in the perfect situation last year in Detroit. Yet, he quickly fell out of favor despite the Lions lack of any stellar alternative. Now, he’s a free agent looking to prove himself yet again. Bell has his fans; who point toward his 4.8 per carry average and straight-line speed. His critics point toward his fumbling tendencies, his subpar receiving skills and lack of explosive scoring history. Will some team sign Bell as a starter? Probably not, but he’ll land somewhere and may yet be one major injury away from another shot at major playing time.
8. Michael Pittman (6′0″, 228 pounds, 32 years old) – Pittman’s days as a primary ball-carrier are long gone (were they ever there?) but he would be a valuable addition to a contending team for a number of reasons. One, he’s a punishing blocker and excels in blitz pickup. Two, despite his age, he’s in phenomenal shape. Three, Pittman is an excellent receiver (he’s caught 70+ balls twice and averaged more than 40 receptions a season in Tampa).

The Top Fullbacks on the Market

Fullbacks aren’t a position that generates a ton of interest among fantasy leaguers, but a good one can really help solidify an offensive attack; particularly if they are equally adept at lead blocking for their tailback as well as pass protecting. The top free agent fullback, Greg Jones, was re-signed by Jacksonville but there are still a few other FBs out there who have a shot at landing a starting gig.

1. Tony Richardson (6′1″, 238 pounds, 36 years old) – Richardson is going to turn 37 years old this season; which is an amazing feat for any NFL player much less one who plays such a demanding position. The Vikings are going in another direction this season, but Richardson hopes to latch on with another team. If healthy, he can still lay the wood for a run-oriented attack.
2. Brad Hoover (6′0″, 245 pounds, 31 years old) — Hoover has been a mainstay in Carolina and, in addition to above average blocking ability, he is decent receiver. Expect Hoover to garner interest from multiple teams and ultimately sign a 2- or 3-year deal as a starter.
3. Dan Kreider (5′11″, 255 pounds, 30 years old) — Kreider tore his ACL in November and is still rehabbing. It’s possible he remains with Pittsburgh although it’s unlikely they will re-sign him until he can vet his health. If the Steelers decide to let him go, Kreider would generate interest late in the offseason once he’s able to practice and show off his skill set. When healthy, he’s a punishing straight line blocker.

The (Near) Complete List
Player Name Status 2007 Team 2008 Team
DeShaun Foster Released CAR
Tatum Bell UFA DET
Chris Brown UFA TEN
Aveion Cason UFA DET
Ron Dayne UFA HOU
T.J. Duckett UFA DET
Verron Haynes UFA PIT
Maurice Hicks UFA SF
Julius Jones UFA DAL
ReShard Lee UFA OAK
Reno Mahe UFA PHI
Travis Minor UFA STL
Mewelde Moore UFA MIN
Michael Pittman UFA TB
Musa Smith UFA BAL
Aaron Stecker UFA NO
LaBrandon Toefield UFA JAX
Michael Turner UFA SD
Derrick Ward UFA NYG
Shaud Williams UFA BUF
Brad Hoover UFA CAR
Dan Kreider UFA PIT
Ryan Neufeld UFA BUF
Tony Richardson UFA MIN
Cecil Sapp UFA DEN
Thomas Tapeh UFA PHI
Michael Bennett Signed TB TB
Thomas Clayton Signed SF SF
Jason Davis Signed PHI PHI
Adimchinobi Echemandu Signed OAK OAK
Justin Fargas Signed OAK OAK
Kay-Jay Harris Signed STL NYG
Jamal Lewis Signed CLE CLE
Darian Barnes Signed NYJ BUF
Kevin Dudley Signed NO NO
Greg Jones Signed JAX JAX
Rich Alexis RFA STL
Marion Barber RFA DAL
Jesse Chatman RFA MIA
Samkon Gado RFA MIA
Keith Joseph RFA NO
Vernand Morency RFA GB
Alvin Pearman RFA SEA
Tyson Thompson RFA DAL
Nehemiah Broughton RFA WAS
Robert Douglas RFA NYG
Justin Green RFA BAL
Boomer Grigsby RFA KC
Ahmard Hall RFA TEN
David Kirtman RFA SEA
Corey McIntyre RFA ATL
Nate Schurman RFA NO
Stacy Tutt RFA NYJ
Leonard Weaver RFA SEA
Travis Wilson RFA KC
Gilbert Harris Released KC
Jim Finn Released NYG

[msommer]

:blackeffingdot:
Pin this?

[JPeso]

Great work Wood, thanks!

[redman]

Pretty rough year to be a FA RB, even worse than last year actually. Other than Barber resigning with the Cowboys, I'm not optimistic about any of those guys landing anywhere as their team's primary ball carrier in anything other than a RBBC.

[mdog1967]

Pretty rough year to be a FA RB, even worse than last year actually. Other than Barber resigning with the Cowboys, I'm not optimistic about any of those guys landing anywhere as their team's primary ball carrier in anything other than a RBBC.

As a Turner and Ward owner I fear your right.

[Jason Wood]

Pretty rough year to be a FA RB, even worse than last year actually. Other than Barber resigning with the Cowboys, I'm not optimistic about any of those guys landing anywhere as their team's primary ball carrier in anything other than a RBBC.

On the other hand, how many people saw Ryan Grant or Earnest Graham coming last year to name but two? I think Julius Jones and Foster have their supportesr out there (why, I don't know) and could end up in the right situation depending.

[jurb26]

Pretty rough year to be a FA RB, even worse than last year actually. Other than Barber resigning with the Cowboys, I'm not optimistic about any of those guys landing anywhere as their team's primary ball carrier in anything other than a RBBC.

No doubt. This draft class will likely churn out 3 top level RBs on top on the already small need. People who have been waiting on these guys are going to be a bit disappointed IMO.

[JohnnyU]

Any news regarding Musa Smith?

[Donnybrook]

Tyson Thompson RFA DAL

IIRC, Dallas did not tender him and he is now an UFA.

[Max Power]

Any news regarding Musa Smith?

I'm wondering the same thing...In limited action last season he looked legit.