It was overshadowed by the quarterback movement, of course, but the running backs also entered the free agency picture yesterday. With at least one and possibly two moves of fantasy significance.
Najee Harris left the Steelers for the Chargers; that's the big one. J.K. Dobbins was on a one-year deal, and Gus Edwards was released, so unless there are still people holding out hope for sixth-rounder Kimani Vidal setting the league afire in his second season, Harris is going to be the lead back. He signed a one-year deal worth "up to" $9.25 million.
Slightly less impactful, probably, the Cowboys signed Javonte Williams away from Denver. That's also a one-year deal, and for a lot less money: $3 million. Clearly the market was a little different for those players, which is understandable. Harris has rushed for over 1,000 yards in all four of his seasons, while Williams not only hasn't reached that milestone in his four years, he hasn't been particularly effective the last two seasons, since tearing his ACL (and other ligaments) in 2022.
But the truth is that neither one has been dynamic. While yards per carry is an imperfect stat, it's also one that gives a hint of a player's explosiveness, or lack thereof. Over the four seasons both backs have been in the league, they both show up near the bottom of the running backs who have had comparable workloads. Along with several players who won't be starting for anyone in 2025.
Over the past four seasons, 42 running backs have played in at least half the games and averaged at least 100 rushing attempts per year. Najee and Javonte both come in at 3.9-4.0 yards per attempt, in the bottom 10 of those backs. The other worst backs in this regard include Alexander Mattison, Jamaal Williams and Ezekiel Elliott. They won't be starting anywhere this year (neither will Rachaad White or Kareem Hunt). Javonte would look even worse if we just used the post-injury number (he's been at 3.6-3.7 yards per attempt the past two years).
| YARDS PER CARRY, 2021-2024 (400-plus carries) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | G | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD |
| Nick Chubb | 41 | 660 | 3286 | 5.0 | 23 |
| James Cook | 49 | 533 | 2638 | 4.9 | 20 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 44 | 665 | 3242 | 4.9 | 23 |
| Jonathan Taylor | 52 | 996 | 4844 | 4.9 | 40 |
| Khalil Herbert | 56 | 400 | 1905 | 4.8 | 9 |
| Aaron Jones | 60 | 781 | 3714 | 4.8 | 13 |
| Derrick Henry | 58 | 1173 | 5563 | 4.7 | 51 |
| Bijan Robinson | 34 | 518 | 2432 | 4.7 | 18 |
| Saquon Barkley | 59 | 1049 | 4872 | 4.6 | 31 |
| Raheem Mostert | 45 | 477 | 2201 | 4.6 | 23 |
| Miles Sanders | 56 | 580 | 2660 | 4.6 | 14 |
| Tony Pollard | 64 | 835 | 3810 | 4.6 | 22 |
| Breece Hall | 40 | 512 | 2333 | 4.6 | 14 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 38 | 458 | 2075 | 4.5 | 13 |
| Kyren Williams | 38 | 579 | 2582 | 4.5 | 26 |
| Tyler Allgeier | 50 | 533 | 2362 | 4.4 | 10 |
| James Conner | 57 | 829 | 3668 | 4.4 | 37 |
| Dalvin Cook | 47 | 588 | 2566 | 4.4 | 14 |
| Devin Singletary | 65 | 694 | 3024 | 4.4 | 20 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 56 | 706 | 3066 | 4.3 | 21 |
| D'Andre Swift | 60 | 732 | 3167 | 4.3 | 21 |
| Josh Jacobs | 62 | 1091 | 4659 | 4.3 | 42 |
| Austin Ekeler | 59 | 666 | 2821 | 4.2 | 34 |
| Travis Etienne | 49 | 637 | 2691 | 4.2 | 18 |
| Kenneth Walker III | 41 | 600 | 2528 | 4.2 | 24 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 64 | 755 | 3175 | 4.2 | 22 |
| David Montgomery | 57 | 830 | 3440 | 4.1 | 37 |
| D'Onta Foreman | 46 | 516 | 2137 | 4.1 | 12 |
| Zack Moss | 48 | 446 | 1837 | 4.1 | 12 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | 41 | 570 | 2329 | 4.1 | 15 |
| Dameon Pierce | 38 | 405 | 1648 | 4.1 | 8 |
| Joe Mixon | 61 | 1004 | 4069 | 4.1 | 40 |
| Antonio Gibson | 64 | 592 | 2386 | 4.0 | 12 |
| AJ Dillon | 49 | 551 | 2186 | 4.0 | 14 |
| Javonte Williams | 54 | 606 | 2394 | 4.0 | 11 |
| Alvin Kamara | 55 | 871 | 3439 | 3.9 | 17 |
| Najee Harris | 68 | 1097 | 4312 | 3.9 | 28 |
| Rachaad White | 50 | 545 | 2084 | 3.8 | 10 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 64 | 726 | 2746 | 3.8 | 28 |
| Jamaal Williams | 57 | 569 | 2137 | 3.8 | 22 |
| Kareem Hunt | 53 | 536 | 1993 | 3.7 | 24 |
| Alexander Mattison | 63 | 520 | 1894 | 3.6 | 12 |
Given Javonte's recent ineffectiveness and the small size of the contract, the Cowboys definitely aren't done adding to the position. They're reportedly not planning to bring back Rico Dowdle, but will almost certainly draft a running back (some early mocks believe they're eyeing Ashton Jeanty, for what it's worth). No one can count on Williams starting for Dallas, let alone being featured.
But Najee with the Chargers is a little more promising. Even without the guaranteed numbers available yet, safe to say he'll be their starter. And while Harris is a modestly regarded talent with that 3.9 yards per attempt career number, there's a lot to be said for showing up. That probably appealed to the Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers, who are more concerned about having a back they can feed a ton of carries to and count on being there each week. (Dobbins missed four full games and most of a fifth last year.)
Running backs to play at least 60 games and average 250 rushing attempts the last four seasons? Najee, Josh Jacobs and Joe Mixon -- that's the list.
So I'll be interested in Harris in early drafts. The Chargers could also draft someone, or sign another player, but it looks like Najee will open the season as their guy. He'll be busy, and the history indicates he'll be available each week. Counts for a lot at the position.
Harris' departure, by the way, is a plus for Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh. The Steelers tendered him at a second-round level, so he'll be back. But let's see if the Steelers also draft or sign someone (Dobbins?). I don't think they're going to be featuring Warren; seems likely to be a tandem backfield again.
As for the Broncos, who also aren't done adding to the position, they've now got last year's fifth-rounder Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie on the roster. Undrafted Blake Watson too. If I were throwing a late-round pick at one of them in a best-ball draft, it would be Estime. But Denver will definitely be adding more to the position, as well, either via the draft or free agency.
--Andy Richardson