NFL free agent rankings: Running backs

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06 Jan 2025 15:03

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

After several successful free agent running backs exploded with great number in 2024, the class of 2025 is nicely situated.

The 2025 NFL Draft class is once again going to be difficult to find a first-round value out of the running back position outside of Ashton Jeanty. As the 2024 season proved, many free agent running backs have a lot of tread left on their tires, and this year’s crop is no different.

Some very big names are on this top-10 list. We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the players. While there are no unanimous picks among the bunch as folks value different RB traits, our groups stands out into some defined tiers.

We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.

Other receiving votes: Jeremy McNichols, Khalil Herbert, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jeff Wilson, Alexander Mattison, Kenneth Gainwell

10. Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs

Perinne barely squeaked in ahead of Khalil Herbert in our voting by the slimmest of margins. Perine turns 30 at the beginning of the 2025 season and has been somewhat of a journeyman in his NFL career, playing for Washington, Miami, Cincinnati, Denver, and now the Chiefs. He didn’t have many carries in 2024 as the Chiefs have chosen to sign street free agents instead of featuring him on the ground, but he has been effective through the air catching passes out of the backfield.

9. AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers

Dillion’s rookie contract is expiring after being a second-round pick in 2020. Never a bell-cow back, he’s averaged just over four yards per carry but has combined for more than 3200 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns in his four seasons.

8. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (RFA)

Warren is a Restricted Free Agent but was undrafted, so the cost for Pittsburgh to get to the right of first refusal would be $3.2 million or they could use a second-round tag for $5.2 million. With Najee Harris and both starting quarterbacks from 2024 set to hit free agency, they’re going to have to pick someone to keep. His RFA status likely pushed him down our list, but he’s 26 with more than 2600 combined rushing and receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons in a timeshare backfield with Harris.

7. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (RFA)

Mason is a Restricted Free Agent, which is likely why he’s a bit further down this list. He took advantage of injuries to the 49ers RB room to averaged 5.2 yards per attempt and nearly 66 yards per game this season before succumbing to his own injury in December. He turns 26 this offseason and he adds a kick return element. He was undrafted, so if the 49ers tag him with right of first refusal, it’s $3.2 million for one season when they are already paying Christian McCaffrey a hefty bag.

6. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

As high as three on one ballot, Williams is having a down season in a contract year with the Broncos. The former 25th overall pick led Denver’s running back room by a wide margin in snap counts, but their offense is 22nd in yardage with rookie QB Bo Nix. His talent and youth make him a good candidate for a one-year “prove it” deal somewhere if he can’t find good guaranteed money.

5. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys

Dowdle almost crashed our top four spots, but barely missed out. He was as high as third on two voters’ ballots, but his very short track record scared off other voters. He managed a 1000-yard season this year, but only 361 in 2023 and his previous high was 24 yards in 2020, his rookie season. He also does not score much, with a combined eight scrimmage touchdowns in 51 career games.

4. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

The former Ravens’ second-round draft choice spent the season with the Chargers on a one-year deal after missing large chunks of the seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He sprained his knee in 2024 but returned and was a top back for Los Angeles. His injury history is concerning, but he’s only 26.

3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb had the widest variance on our lists; he was ranked second and third on several ballots, but completely left off others. With multiple season-ending injuries over the last few years, it’s not hard to see why there is some hesitation, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best in the league averaging over five yards per carry. He does turn 30 at the tail end of the 2025 season, too.

2. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

A close second, Jones was solid in his single season in Minnesota after beginning his career with the Packers. He broke 1100 yards on the ground and added 400 yards through the air for the high-powered Vikings offense, but he turns 31 during the 2025 season, so he’s likely to only get another short deal.

1. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former first-round pick landed in the perfect situation in Pittsburgh, but his stats never quite lived up to his lofty billing. He has averaged under 4.0 yards per carry during his career, but broken 1000 yards in every season (sometimes barely). With 64 yards per game on the ground and another 17 through the air, he was the top pick for the majority of our voters.

Other free agent running backs

Travis Homer
Ezekiel Elliott
Nyheim Miller-Hines
Ameer Abdullah
Chase Edmonds
Dare Ogunbowale
JaMycal Hasty
Ty Johnson
D’Ernest Johnson
Cam Akers
D’Onta Foreman
Trayveon Williams
Craig Reynolds
Trey Sermon
Avery Williams
Elijah Mitchell
Chris Evans
Kareem Hunt
Ronnie Rivers (RFA)
Julius Chestnut (RFA)
Raheem Blackshear (RFA)