Top 5 RB Free Agents to Watch

Next up on our free agent watch is the running backs. Since posting our list of Quarterbacks on Monday, teams have started to make cuts. That means that the free agent pool is going to get deeper and deeper at each position. Rumors and reports are starting to come out of the woodwork about who is getting cut and who will be a cap casualty. Most notable of the cuts so far have been Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb by the Dolphins. That makes our prediction that Tua will get cut much more likely as they are cleaning house.

The pool of running backs is already pretty deep. Running backs have had a resurgence of importance over the last few years but it is still not a premium position. It shouldn’t be surprising. Running backs have always been the workhorses for an offense but unless you have a superstar like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, it is one of the more interchangeable positions in football.

1. Breece Hall

Starting off our list is Breece Hall who has spent the first four years of his career as a member of the New York Jets. He has shown flashes of greatness despite plenty of struggles early on during his tenure. His rookie year, he was poised for a breakout year until he suffered a season ending injury after just seven games. His second year was the year that Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles after four plays and the entire Jets franchise suffered. His third year was the year that Robert Saleh was fired and the Jets were a rudderless ship for the last 12 games of the season. Suffice to say, Breece has been through the ringer and could probably use a change of scenery if the Jets do not re-sign him or use the franchise tag on him.

Last year, Breece showed proved that he should be considered as one of the better backs in the league. He had his best year as a pro rushing for 1065 yards and 4 touchdowns. He finished 15th in the league in run yards on a team that only won 3 games. While the numbers do not blow anyone away, it was impressive considering the make-up of the team and the direction that the season was going.

The Jets have continued to show their inability to operate as a functional franchise. They bet the season on Justin Fields who, to quote Woody Johson (owner of the Jets), was unable to complete a down field pass. That meant that the offense had to go through the run. That does not typically translate to solid production for a running back.

If the Jets, who have been jettisoning talent, allow Hall to walk, he should be considered the top back on the market. He is one of the faster backs in the game and can beat you through the run and through the air. With a litany of backs set to hit the market, there should be plenty of landing spots for Breece. Spotrac is predicting that he will command over $10 million average annual value this year. He has already been linked to the Broncos, who have $26 million in cap space and need a running back to take over their backfield. The Commanders are another team that has plenty of cap space and could use a back. Wherever he ends up, Hall might be the first domino to fall that will give us a clearer picture of where the rest of these backs end up.

Prediction: Franchise Tagged by Jets

2. Kenneth Walker III

It is rare that the Super Bowl MVP is projected to hit the free agent market but that is exactly what is going to happen with Kenneth Walker. Walker has had an interesting career with Seattle. He broke onto the scene in 2022 by breaking the 1000-yard mark as a rookie. He then missed several games over the next two years with injury. Had he not been injured, he could have been considered one of the more exciting backs in the game. He is incredibly fast and can change direction on a dime. He will be highly sought after due to his ability to make people miss and break away for long gains.

This past season, he started to share more snaps to Zach Charbonnet but got back over the 1000-yard mark. The two backs seemed like the perfect complement and the Seahawks were perfectly fine getting production from two backs. Walker was primarily used on first and second downs while Charbonnet was used in the pass game and short yardage situations.

When Charbonnet went down with a torn ACL in the divisional round, Walker got his chance to remind a national audience what he was capable of doing. Over the three playoff games, he averaged 104.3 rush yards per game and 34.7 receiving yards per game. His best game came in the biggest game of the year. In the Super Bowl, he rushed 27 times for 135 yards and added 26 receiving yards on 2 catches. He was clearly the most effective offensive weapon on the field, earning him MVP honors.

Walker should have his pick of where he wants to go should the Seahawks not use their franchise tag. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, reports that the Seahawks are unlikely to use the franchise tag as it will take up too much of their cap space. They need to save that money to extend Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. With Walker set to hit the market, he should draw interest from teams like the Chiefs or Broncos. The Chiefs just brought back offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy who likes to use backs more than former OC Matt Nagy. The Broncos need a lead back to help balance out their offense and Walker would add an element that they were missing last year.

Prediction: Signs with Denver Broncos

3. Javonte Williams

Much like the first two backs on this list, Javonte Williams has had an interesting career. Williams is entering his 6th year in the NFL and is coming off of his best year as a pro. He spent the first four years of his career in Denver, and it was a roller coaster. He had a great rookie season where he rushed for 903 yards and 4 touchdowns. He then tore his ACL in his second season and only appeared in four games. Over the next two seasons, his production fell off a cliff. He rushed for 774 yards in 2023 and 513 yards in 2024. He was seemingly in the Sean Payton doghouse and was sent off into free agency headed into the 2025 season. He signed with Dallas in 2025 and the move was seen as an afterthought by most NFL fans.

He proved to be a hidden gem for the Cowboys in 2025. He was incredibly productive in the Brian Schottenheimer offense. He had 252 rushes for 1201 yards and 11 touchdowns. Both were career highs for Williams, and both were top 10 in the league. The Cowboys as a whole might have to address bigger needs than their running back room. They have shown that they are willing to move on from 1000-yard backs like Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle.

The Cowboys are highly unlikely to use their franchise tag on Williams mainly because they have to make a decision on George Pickens. Pickens is a prime target for the tag as the Jones family tries to figure out how to keep this high-flying offense together.

Should Williams hit the market, the best fit would be a team that needs a physical back. The teams that immediately stand out are the Texans. The Texans have struggled to establish any kind of run game. Williams would be a good complement to Woody Marks, especially if Houston can get some help on the offensive line. The Chiefs and Cardinals also stand out as potential landing spots.

Prediction: Signs with Houston Texans

4. Travis Etienne

The Jaguars look like they are set to part ways with explosive running back Travis Etienne. Etienne has been with Jacksonville since they drafted him in 2021. After sitting his rookie year due to injury, Etienne has rushed for 1000 yards in three of four seasons. He is set to cash in during this free agency period when the teams that need a back enter negotiations with him.

In 2025, Etienne rushed 260 times for 1107 and 7 touchdowns. He was used effectively in the pass game as well adding 292 yards and 6 touchdowns. He seemed like a good fit in the Liam Coen offensive system that favors versatile backs. His explosiveness makes him a nightmare in open field and any team that picks him up is going to get a hell of a playmaker out of the backfield.

Spotrac is projecting Etienne to command just under $7 million AAV. Frankly, I think he would be a steal for $7 million a year. The former first round pick is going to have an impact wherever he lands. If they can figure out their cap situation, the Chiefs would be a great fit. Kansas City could use his speed coming out of the backfield. I could also see the Texans making a play for him as well. The Titans, who has the most cap space available, could also be in the mix and they look to add weapons.

Prediction: Signs with Kansas City Chiefs

5. Rachaad White

Rounding out our list will be Rachaad White. White was a third-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. Over his first four years, he has struggled with consistency. After only starting 8 games his rookie year, he had a breakout year in 2023 where he started all 17 games, rushed 272 times for 990 yards. He also was a huge weapon in the pass game, adding 549 yards on 64 receptions. After 2023, he saw his role diminish due to the rise of Bucky Irving. White is looking for a fresh start where he can compete for a starting role again.

In 2025, White was relegated to the backup role and only started 8 games because Bucky Irving was dealing with injury. Despite Irvings absence, White did not live up to his prior production levels. He had over 1000 total scrimmage yards in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, he totaled 790. In the right situation, he can certainly get back to his prior levels of production.

When White hits the market, his best landing spot will be any team that is comfortable using the running backs as a heavy part of their pass game. His real value comes from being able to pick up yards on swing passes, screens, and check downs. To me, this screams Washington Commanders. It might be the similar jersey colors but I think the Commanders who will be potentially losing Ekeler, McNichols, and Deebo Samuel to free agency will look at White as an option to give this offense some versatility.

Prediction: Signs with Washington Commanders