2019 Free Agent RB Class & Fantasy Impact

As the offseason begins to take shape, the discussion on roster improvement and player movement is front and center. Teams will be looking to shed salary on top of the players already listed as free agents. As of today these are the top listed FA’s looking for new contracts. The Fantasy Football impact is definitely real as players entertain staying with their clubs or moving on to a new system. Exciting times are upon us, as teams begin to re-tool and build for next season. It’s time to speculate!   

Top Free Agent Running Backs:

LeVeon Bell (PIT)

Age: 27 | 2018 Salary: N/A | FA Rank #1

Once again we find ourselves discussing the future of the great LeVeon Bell now that he again is a free agent, but this time without the restrictions of a franchise tag.

There is no question that Bell is still the cream of the crop at the running back position, leaving many running back needy teams licking their chops at the possibility of signing him this offseason. You will be hard pressed to find a person that will undersell the prospects of Bell improving a team from day one, but the question mark will always be, how much is too much to pay running backs in this NFL.

It’s clear that money is the driving factor for Bell and rightfully so. In 2017, Bell touched the ball a whopping 406 times leading the NFL in that category for all players at his position. If we were to place a dollar figure on the workload, Bell was being paid roughly $35,714 per touch, were as his counterpart Todd Gurley (who was gifted a new contract extension of 4 years 60 million), touched the ball 343 times in 2017 which would equate to $43,731 per touch under his new contract.

Recent rumors have suggested that Bell has his eyes set on playing for the Colts who have an up and coming squad with a boatload of cash on the books. In his eyes that would be a win-win situation which could come to fruition. Provided Bell lands on a solid squad, he should find his way back atop the NFL statistical ranks.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: High 

Mark Ingram (NO)

Age: 29 | 2018 Salary: $4,000,000 | FA Rank #2

When the Saints drafted Mark Ingram, we at ADF were somewhat lukewarm on the runner believing he had ability, but something was lacking from his overall game.

Heading into the 2019 offseason, our first impression of Ingram couldn’t be further from our thought process today. We have gained massive amounts of respect for his game and ability to change the dynamic of each contest in both the run and the pass. Mark has done a great job over his career to improve his pass catching ability making him a true duel threat. Now seeing a tandem with Alvin Kamara, Ingram has been utilized perfectly without over using the big bodied back.

Mark has recently voiced his appreciation for New Orleans and the Saints organization vowing that he would indeed prefer to stay with the club. However, knowing that this may be his last shot at securing big money for his career, he’ll certainly have to weigh his options. If Mark remains with the Saints, we should expect similar production as in the past, but if he finds his way to another squad, the prospects could be quite different. Either way, Ingram has proven he can be a trusted player in this league.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/High 

Tevin Coleman (ATL)

Age: 26 | 2018 Salary: $804,843 | FA Rank #3

One of the most exciting free agent running backs that we’ll be keeping a close eye on come free agency, the Falcons Tevin Coleman has a bright future and looks to cash in big on the open market.

Some may scoff at the notion that Coleman will be anything more than a secondary back in the NFL, but we view this quite differently based on his body of work. Throughout his time in Atlanta, Coleman has been underutilized but highly productive when given the opportunity. Knowing that the Falcons have Devonta Freeman locked up to a multi-year big money deal, the writing is on the wall that Coleman will have his suitors come March 14^th.

Tevin is a true multi-purpose back that has proven he can run the ball with great effectiveness (career average 4.4 yards per carry), while being able to handle passes in the open field securing 92 receptions for over 1000 yards in his four years with the Falcons. In terms of youth and potential, Coleman could be the most sought after running back this spring giving value on the dollar he should entertain.   

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/High 

Latavius Murray (MIN)

Age: 28 | 2018 Salary: $5,000,000 | FA Rank #4

Outside of the top three backs on the open market, the remaining runners should have interest in their own right but may not gain the dollar figures they might hope for.

The Vikings Latavius Murray has done a fine job in Minnesota taking over the rushing responsibilities when Dalvin Cook was lost to a season ending injury, and filling in as the change of pace back. While his body of work is better than decent, we really wonder how kind the open market will be to Murray. Last year Latavius made a healthy 5 million in salary but should ultimately see that number fade.

At 28 years of age, and a draft class filled with talented runners, Murray should be able to find a home but at a discounted rate.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low 

  

Adrian Peterson (WAS)

Age: 34 | 2018 Salary: $1,015,000 | FA Rank #5

The ageless wonder and future hall of famer showed the viewing public that even at 33 years young; he could still crack the 1000 yard rushing mark in this league.

Adrian Peterson is cut from a different mold proving that having gifted physical ability can trump the mantra that running backs decline after 30. Even still, AP might find it difficult to entice another organization to provide him another opportunity giving that he will enter age 34 this season. Showing that he was able to compete in all 16 games this season for the Redskins while touching the ball 271 times, Peterson could muster one more solid campaign.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low

TJ Yeldon (JAX)

Age: 25 | 2018 Salary: $1,478,444 | FA Rank #6

The Jacksonville Jaguars were again forced to roll with TJ Yeldon for much of the season given the health issues of Leonard Fournette. It’s quite clear that the body of work Yeldon has placed on his resume isn’t something of great success; he does possess value in the pass game.

While TJ does have a positive career rushing average (4.0 yards per carry), he never has amounted to anything spectacular in terms of yards and rushing touchdowns. The bread and butter in Yeldon’s game has come in the form of the pass attack where he has caught a healthy 171 passes in his first four years in the league. TJ was a first down machine this season after catching passes securing 21 first downs; this could be a very important stat in finding a new home.

Any team looking to upgrade their pass catching and third down back could get a bargain deal for the amount of productivity he could provide. We would love to see Yeldon find his way to a team like the Eagles or Vikings taking over that secondary back role becoming a PPR darling. Yeldon’s outlook would be determent on who he signs with. 

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low

CJ Anderson (LAR)

Age: 28 | 2018 Salary: $790,000 | FA Rank #7

Essentially back from the dead, based on his recent playoff success with the Rams, CJ Anderson placed himself back on the radar to garner a new contract this offseason.

The Rams could be front runners to re-sign Anderson if this triumph continues; however, CJ may have other suitors come out of the woodwork now that they again witness what he’s capable of. Anderson may never return to being a full time running back in this league, but could have standalone value if teamed with the correct situation like the one with the Rams. Anderson won’t fetch big dollars on the open market but should be housed on someone roster to begin the 2019 season.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Moderate/Low/Unknown

Raheem Mostert (SF)

Age: 27 | 2018 Salary: $705,000 | FA Rank #8

The 49ers unknown man, Raheem Mostert made waves when he was forced to start due to injuries to Matt Breida and carried himself quite well. His display was cut short due to suffering his own severe arm injury but could’ve done enough to get a few clubs looking in his direction.

With the 49ers potentially getting Jerick McKinnon back from his ACL injury, and Matt Breida surly keeping his place on the roster, Mostert could find a secondary role on another squad next season. His outlook may not be favorable in terms of generating healthy statistics, but he should be able to at least carve out a pass catching role after showing good ability in that department.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low

  

Jay Ajayi (PHI)

Age: 26 | 2018 Salary: $625,203 | FA Rank #9

Some may question the placement of Jay Ajayi being the 9^th ranked running back on our free agent list, but coming off an ACL injury, we would be quite cautious in handing out money here.

ADF has never been a huge fan of the Jay-Train, as he doesn’t exemplify what we would covet in a running back in both real and fantasy worlds. Yes Ajayi has seen some levels of productivity to warrant a look over by many teams, but his history of knee injuries, and lack of overall speed should leave him with fewer phone calls once the market opens in the spring. NFL teams are trying desperately to prove that finding running backs is a simple task these days, and paying any sum of money to damaged goods with limited skillsets isn’t something that teams are willing to do.

Some club may give Ajayi a shot based on his age, but we really have little confidence that Jay will muster anything special in 2019.   

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Low/Non-Existent

Kareem Hunt (FA)

Age: 23 | 2018 Salary: $642,885 | FA Rank #10

Rounding out the best remaining free agent running backs, we place former Kansas City Chief Kareem Hunt at 10 simply because of his off-field issues. Hunt may never play another down in the NFL thanks to his indiscretions caught on video, but based on his age and talent, one club may be willing to buck the PR-headache and sign the runner.

There is no question that Hunt was establishing himself as a premier back in this league before it all went sideways, but whichever team is willing to take on the risk, they could receive a player that will become a fixture on their team for many years. Even if Hunt is on a roster coming training camp, he will be suspended by the NFL under the personal conduct policy. His 2019 season is truly up in the air.

2019 Potential Fantasy Impact: Questionable 

Potential Value Running Backs:

Alex Collins (BAL) (RFA*)

Doug Martin (OAK)

Ty Montgomery (BAL)

Spencer Ware (KC)

Mike Davis (SEA)

Javorius Allen (BAL)

LeGarrette Blount (DET)

Corey Grant (JAX)

Rod Smith (DAL)