We’ve discussed the arms that will be on display this offseason. Now, it’s time to talk about the legs that are on the market.
Teams are always going to be interested in RBs, it just depends on the price. This year there are a lot of intriguing options, and many guys that could be starters on teams throughout the league.
What RBs should you be looking out for? These guys are a good place to start.
5. Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson had a career revival in Washington last season. Prior to that, with Arizona and New Orleans, it looked like Peterson was just about done in the NFL. One year and 1,000 yards later, AP is looking to do what he does best for another season.
He’ll be 34 when the season starts, and RBs don’t typically last past 30 in the NFL. However, if I were a team, I’d take a flyer on Peterson having another productive season if given the opportunity.
4. Jay Ajayi
Ajayi was flying high in Miami just a couple seasons ago. He was a Pro Bowler in 2016 after rushing for 1,200+ yards and eight touchdowns. Then, in the middle of the 2017-18 season, Ajayi was traded to the Eagles for a fourth round pick. The reasons for the trade varied, but it appeared HC Adam Gase didn’t believe in the RB from London.
Last season, Ajayi suffered a torn ACL in Week 5 that ended his season. Ajayi can be a workhorse in this league. If you take his average yards per carry and extrapolate that out over a full season workload, he’ll surely hit 1,000 yards. It’s a risk taking a RB post-ACL, but it’s not the risk it used to be. He may miss a couple weeks at the beginning of the season, but I wouldn’t be surprised to return to the rusher he was prior.
3. Tevin Coleman
Coleman has been the “lightening” to Devonta Freeman’s “thunder” in Atlanta. He’s been the shiftier back of the duo and has the ability to bring in the ball in the passing game. Last season, with Freeman out, we got a little taste of Coleman as the lead-back. He finished the season with 800 yards and four touchdowns in the rushing game, while tacking on 276 yards and five touchdowns in the receiving game.
I don’t expect Coleman to turn into Alvin Kamara or anything when/if he’s given the keys to an offense, but I’d like to think he can be a suitable back in the NFL. More likely, he’ll be added to perform in the same role he has in Atlanta.
2. Mark Ingram
There are very few people who are bigger Mark Ingram fans than myself. Working in a backfield where he splits the opportunities, Ingram has been very productive. As essentially the second-back (and after missing four games to suspension) Ingram still pounded the rock to the tune of 645 yards and six touchdowns. His pass-catching is often overlooked as well because he shares a backfield with Kamara.
Ingram is 29 and about to hit that dread “30” number that RBs dread. He should still have a lot to give to an NFL team looking to find a number one back. Many teams should be in the market for Ingram’s services, including the Saints if they can finagle their cap situation.
1. Le’Veon Bell
Bell has been the talk of the league for two seasons. His holdout this past season was discussed at length on every talk show in the United States and in many articles on PerSources. While I don’t believe that sitting out was in his best interest, I still believe Bell can and will be an extremely productive RB in this league.
The 27-year-old is one of the few RBs in the league who are elite runners and pass-catchers. The problem that comes with that, however, is he’s used a lot. In 2017, Bell touched the ball over 400 times. That number is almost unheard of.
Many teams will come calling about Le’Veon Bell. He wants to be paid and wants to be paid handsomely. I expect to see him sign a deal with an AAV (average annual value) that rivals that of Todd Gurley ($15 million). What the Steelers never gave him, and what he will seek will be longevity. The reason he wanted out of Pittsburgh is because they kept giving him one-year contracts and running him into the ground. A team that offers Bell $15+ million annually for four seasons will win his services.