The running back position has seen a resurgence over the last two seasons. In back-to-back years, multiple RBs have taken over games and delivered extraordinary performances, propelling their teams into contention.
Last season, Derrick Henry had another strong year, but Saquon Barkley one-upped him by nearly setting the all-time single-season rushing yard record and winning a Super Bowl. With free agency in full swing, a number of RBs have already signed, but who are the best backs that are still available?
Top 7 Remaining Free Agent Running Backs
For two consecutive years, a team in the Super Bowl has had an MVP candidate on the roster, and both times, it’s been a running back. In 2024, it was Christian McCaffrey for the San Francisco 49ers, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, it was Barkley.
This offseason, a ton of free agents switched teams and inked new deals. While there aren’t any star-caliber backs available at this point in the offseason, here are six running backs still on the board who could contribute to a team.
6. Ameer Abdullah
Ameer Abdullah has been a long-time backup running back in the NFL. Drafted in 2015 out of Nebraska, he has carved out a niche for himself as a solid, if unspectacular runner. Over a 10-year career, he has spent time with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and the Carolina Panthers as well.
Since 2022, he has been a part of the Las Vegas Raiders, getting minimal opportunity behind Josh Jacobs until last season when Jacobs departed for the Green Bay Packers. Getting 66 carries, he tallied 311 yards, while maintaining a solid 4.7 yards per carry average.
While he may not be a game-changer for whichever team picks him up, a career average of four yards per carry is no small feat—especially with five individual seasons surpassing five yards per carry.
5. Jeff Wilson Jr.
A seven-year veteran, Jeff Wilson Jr. has been part of consistently playoff-caliber teams with the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. While he hasn’t often been the primary back, he’s been a reliable contributor wherever he’s played.
With a career average of 4.5 yards per carry, his efficiency is his biggest selling point, and he could be a difference-maker in limited roles for any team. In 2020, he posted a career-high 600 yards and seven touchdowns. Still under 30, he could serve as a solid one- or two-year backup option.
4. Trey Sermon
Trey Sermon ranks this high primarily due to his pedigree and age. At 26, he’s one of the younger candidates on this list, and as a 2021 draft pick, he was a solid contributor at both Oklahoma and Ohio State. In just four seasons, he has already been a part of three different rosters.
He found some stability with the Indianapolis Colts, backing up Jonathan Taylor. However, over the past two years, he has totaled 319 yards on 91 carries. Still viewed as a backup, he could provide a steady presence for a team, especially with zero fumbles over his four-year career.
3. Cam Akers
Cam Akers is entering his age-26 season but has been traded in-season each of the past two years and continues to struggle in a high-usage role. That said, he did show promise last season, picking up 10+ yards on 15.4% of his carries, his first year surpassing a 9% rate. This gives him appeal as a committee back for a team with a confident RB1.
Any team offering him a significant contract will be hoping he can rediscover his 2022 form with the Los Angeles Rams, when he rushed for 786 yards and seven touchdowns.
2. Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb tore ligaments in his left knee during the first month of the 2023 season and fractured his foot in the final month of 2024, a troubling string of injuries that will likely suppress his market at a high level this offseason. With four seasons of 1,000 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, Chubb’s résumé is impressive, but we haven’t seen that version of him in two years, and there’s a real risk we may never see it again.
Cleveland’s lead back is now 29 years old, and despite limited work over the past two seasons, he has accumulated over 1,500 touches in his NFL career. His ability to stay on the field is a clear concern, but history shows that teams will sometimes take on that risk if they believe the best-case scenario is worth it.
In his 130 carries over the past two seasons, none have gained more than 20 yards. Beyond the lack of splash plays, there’s also a notable spike in ineffective attempts. In 2024, he was stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on 26.5% of his carries, easily the worst rate of his career.
If he can return to his old form, this would be a no-brainer selection. A better situation than Cleveland could potentially provide that added boost. But with considerable wear and tear on his body, any team interested in signing him must proceed with caution.
1. J.K. Dobbins
Injuries have hampered his career, but whenever he’s on the field, J.K. Dobbins has shown impressive talent.
Since 2020, he has suited up for just 37 out of a possible 85 games. However, his 5.2 yards per carry average is bound to catch the eye of many teams.
He’s unlikely to be a player who serves a team on every down, but with consistent production when healthy, it’s hard to overlook someone with his raw, natural talent.
Dobbins is coming off the best season of his NFL career in which he posted career-highs in yards (905), touchdowns (nine), carries (195), receptions (32), and receiving yards (153).