2014 free agent RBs (1 Viewer)

[Lab]

From a dynasty perspective, I'm looking into backup RBs who are scheduled to be free agents in 2014 (http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/2014/running-back/), and who might become solid contributors in a new situation. Below is what I've seen so far. Any other RBs I'm missing? Any thoughts on whether any of these guys has the talent to be a RB1 on a new team? Or are they all destined to be depth chart fodder?

*** Ben Tate: Seems to have the talent. Houston might lock him up though.

*** Toby Gerhart: Good reputation, but never had a good chance because of AP. Not sure about talent though.

MJD: Already a RB1. Probably gets a new deal.

LaRod Stephens-Howling: Not so sure he has the talent/size to be a RB1. Maybe a 3rd down back?

Montario Hardesty: Sort of flopped when got the chance to play as RB1, IIRC. Could he be a RB1? I need info from others here.

Joe McKnight: Seems to lack size/skill to be a RB1, but maybe the Jets offense has held him back. Any shot to be a RB1?

Jalen Parmele: Got some buzz in prior years, but never got a good chance, did he? Not sure he's done enough for any team to give him a true shot at RB1.

Bernard Scott: I wanted to believe for many years, but he's 29 now, so dynasty window is closing for him.

Darren McFadden/Rashad Jennings: Likely will get re-signed by Raiders unless they stink up the joint. If Jennings doesn't get re-signed, he probably don't have much opportunity left. McFadden can still be an asset, but will be expensive to acquire.

Felix Jones: He's burned his chances, right?

Jonathan Dwyer: If he's worth anything, the Steelers will re-sign him to a backup role. Likely will not get a chance to be a RB1.

Andre Brown: Looked good, but not sure he's done enough for someone to give him a shot at RB1.

Joique Bell, Lance Ball, Donald Brown: I'm not a believer. Anyone think they ever get a shot at RB1? I sort of doubt it.

Others?

================================

ETA list of teams that might need a RB1 in 2014:

Jets (unless Ivory holds up)

Steelers (if Bell flops)

Jaguars (if MJD leaves)

Falcons (if S-Jax gets too old too fast)

Titans (if CJ flops again)

Dolphins (if Miller/Gillislee can't do it)

Rams (if their RBBC fails)

Chargers (if Mathews can't pull it together)

Raiders (if McFadden leaves)

Cardinals (if Mendenhall fails)

 

[Coeur de Lion]

I think Ben Tate is a bit over-valued -- sure he looked great in Houston's offense, but I'm skeptical that he can repeat that in a less ideal situation. He's also pretty one-dimensional.

A guy I think has similar talent but is way less expensive is Toby Gerhart. Similar draft pedigree, can play all three downs, and has looked solid when given touches.

I'm probably the last guy left on the bandwagon at this point, but given his current price (essentially free) I still like Felix Jones in PPR. No, he'll never be a workhorse, but if used correctly (100 carries / 50 catches or so) I think he can be a damn good COP RB. His per-touch metrics are stellar -- given a lighter role in the right offense I can see him being a good PPR flex RB with 1000 total YFS, 50 catches, 5 TDs or so.

Most of the other guys, meh.

 

[az_prof]

From a dynasty perspective, I'm looking into backup RBs who are scheduled to be free agents in 2014 (http://www.spotrac.com/free-agents/nfl/2014/running-back/), and who might become solid contributors in a new situation. Below is what I've seen so far. Any other RBs I'm missing? Any thoughts on whether any of these guys has the talent to be a RB1 on a new team? Or are they all destined to be depth chart fodder?

*** Ben Tate: Seems to have the talent. Houston might lock him up though.

*** Toby Gerhart: Good reputation, but never had a good chance because of AP. Not sure about talent though.

MJD: Already a RB1. Probably gets a new deal.

LaRod Stephens-Howling: Not so sure he has the talent/size to be a RB1. Maybe a 3rd down back?

Montario Hardesty: Sort of flopped when got the chance to play as RB1, IIRC. Could he be a RB1? I need info from others here.

Joe McKnight: Seems to lack size/skill to be a RB1, but maybe the Jets offense has held him back. Any shot to be a RB1?

Jalen Parmele: Got some buzz in prior years, but never got a good chance, did he? Not sure he's done enough for any team to give him a true shot at RB1.

Bernard Scott: I wanted to believe for many years, but he's 29 now, so dynasty window is closing for him.

Darren McFadden/Rashad Jennings: Likely will get re-signed by Raiders unless they stink up the joint. If Jennings doesn't get re-signed, he probably don't have much opportunity left. McFadden can still be an asset, but will be expensive to acquire.

Felix Jones: He's burned his chances, right?

Jonathan Dwyer: If he's worth anything, the Steelers will re-sign him to a backup role. Likely will not get a chance to be a RB1.

Andre Brown: Looked good, but not sure he's done enough for someone to give him a shot at RB1.

Joique Bell, Lance Ball, Donald Brown: I'm not a believer. Anyone think they ever get a shot at RB1? I sort of doubt it.

Others?

================================

ETA list of teams that might need a RB1 in 2014:

Jets (unless Ivory holds up)

Steelers (if Bell flops)

Jaguars (if MJD leaves)

Falcons (if S-Jax gets too old too fast)

Titans (if CJ flops again)

Dolphins (if Miller/Gillislee can't do it)

Rams (if their RBBC fails)

Chargers (if Mathews can't pull it together)

Raiders (if McFadden leaves)

Cardinals (if Mendenhall fails)

I don't see too many gems here but I do think Donald Brown still has a chance if he goes to a team that runs out of the I formation and also passes to the HB. His first several years in IND were ruined because of pass blocking and also because of the shotgun formation being bad for Brown's running style. Then in 2011 the team did change up its running style and Brown looked good when he ran behind a FB. His problem the past two years has been that he couldn't stay healthy. He hasn't suffered torn ligament or achilles type injuries, so there are no long term effects. But he has lost opportunities to secure himself because of injuries. Even last season he played pretty well early on and had taken the job over from Delone Carter who started the year as starter--and then got hurt. Ballard took over and never surrendered the job, but despite common opinion, Ballard did not play better. And last year, the single back offense, did not suit Brown either. He runs best behind a FB because he follows the lead block well.

He was a first round pick so he has pedigree and had good measurables.

He has played well in certain offenses but has not been a good fit in IND

He hasn't stayed healthy in the NFL, but he did in college, so it is probably more bad luck than being fragile.

I can still see him going somewhere and blossoming ala Thomas Jones. Jones was a first round pick who floundered for three years in AZ and did much worse in those three years than Brown. He showed something in Tampa where he shared carries. And then he went to Chicago and NYJ where he played really well.

The odds are not good. But it is possible. There is a precedent for a top back who flounders with the team drafting him, going somewhere else and playing well. Benson is another example and so is Reggie Bush.

 

[thriftyrocker]

Gotta put COLTS on that list brother

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Mendenhall is also a UFA at the end of the year.

 

[Hoosier16]

*** Ben Tate: Seems to have the talent. Houston might lock him up though.

*** Toby Gerhart: Good reputation, but never had a good chance because of AP. Not sure about talent though.

I think Ben Tate is a bit over-valued -- sure he looked great in Houston's offense, but I'm skeptical that he can repeat that in a less ideal situation. He's also pretty one-dimensional.

A guy I think has similar talent but is way less expensive is Toby Gerhart. Similar draft pedigree, can play all three downs, and has looked solid when given touches.

Houston is always in salary cap hell. I don't think they have any intention of signing Tate.

I can't see Gerhart getting a chance somewhere else. Minnesota will probably keep him.

Tate is going to get a shot.