Loser: Running backs continue to be shunned
Being a free agent running back is no fun at all these days.
Consider this list of unsigned free agents: Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Latavius Murray, LeGarrette Blount, Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden. All of these guys have been successful starters in the NFL, and one is coming off a career year.
Now consider that the running back who has hauled in the best contract this year is 32-year-old change-of-pace back Danny Woodhead, who landed $4.25 million guaranteed with the Baltimore Ravens. The next-best contract landed by a running back is the $3 million guaranteed the Seahawks foolishly paid Eddie Lacy.
The Woodhead angle is interesting, because it continues to reinforce the idea that teams are going further and further away from paying big money to traditional power backs. Instead, they are opting to reward players who can make an impact on the passing game as well.
This bodes very well for the likes of Christian McCaffrey, who should be a first-round pick in April during the 2017 NFL Draft.
Speaking of the draft, the influx of talent at the running back position means that veteran backs just aren’t going to get much play financially. Charles and Peterson, both coming off injuries, won’t land big-money deals, even though they might have huge seasons in 2017 for the teams they ultimately will end up signing with. Neither will any other running back in free agency this year.