Free Agent Running Backs: Landing Spots and Fantasy Value

Free agency is an important time for us dynasty owners. Are we all in this year? Are we looking at the future? These are questions we have to ask ourselves. It’s a tough decision we all have to make, but cashing in on the top names can pay off in the long run. Don’t knock me because I have done deals that ended up blowing up in my face, but also have done many that have rewarded my fantasy teams. If we were all perfect, this game would be boring. We’re far from being perfect, but I’m here to help you get your fantasy teams the best they can be. Don’t agree with me? I’m totally ready to discuss with you on Twitter @RyanMiner_FFB and would love to hear your views!

Let’s check out this year’s free agent running backs. If I missed someone that you think should have made the list, feel free to discuss with me on Twitter @RyanMiner_FFB.

Follow along with all of the latest free agent signings with our 2022 Free Agent Tracker.

Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 27

Lombardi Lenny carried his Super Bowl playoff run into the 2021 season and finished as an RB1 finishing with 180 rushes for 812 yards and eight touchdowns. We even got to see a glimpse of the 2019 Fournette when he turned 84 targets into 69 receptions for 454 and two more touchdowns. He still has plenty of tread on the tires and if he stays in Tampa Bay, he should be viewed as a back-end RB1. Going anywhere else, I would be comfortable with him as an RB2.

Potential landing spots: Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Buffalo Bills.

Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 26

Year in and year out, we were all waiting for that breakout from Rashaad Penny. The former first-rounder was always injured, year in and year out, including starting this year on injured reserve. We’ve all held him on our fantasy teams through the years, and finally paid off around the end of the season as in Weeks 16 and 17 combining for 42 carries for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Going into free agency with 280 carries, a team looking to build a well-rounded committee. It’s a wait-and-see where he goes, but at the moment he should be viewed as an RB3.

Potential landing spots: Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, or Atlanta Falcons.

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Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos

Age: 29

We are coming to an end of Melvin Gordon being fantasy relevant. He and Javonte Williams were basically splitting the backfield straight down the line. Rumor has it that he’s looking to come back to the Broncos for at least another year. Either way, he’s a committee back on any team he joins. He’s at best an RB3 for 2022.

Potential landing spots: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, or Seattle Seahawks.

James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Age: 27

Who would have thought that Conner would be the top running back in Arizona? What a fun season it was for us as Conner had 18 total touchdowns. Week in and week out, it was almost guaranteed that if Conner was in our lineup, it was pretty much a guaranteed touchdown that week. He serves great in this offense as a 1A back. I see him signing a team-friendly deal and staying in Arizona. He’s a touchdown-dependent RB2 at the moment.

Potential landing spots: Arizona Cardinals or Washington Commanders.

Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Age: 26

We all had high hopes for Edmonds for the 2021 season and were viewing him as a low-end RB2. In his 12 games, he was only able to score double-digit fantasy points in half of them. His downfall this season is that he was never able to be the lead back, and served more as a complementary back to James Conner. This may be the peak we see with Edmonds and should be looked at as an RB4.

Potential landing spots: Cleveland Browns or Indianapolis Colts.

Raheem Mostert, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 30

The 2021 season was a lost cause for Mostert. Over the last two years prior to the 2021 season, Mostert was an RB2 that performed well. With the status of his knee up in the air, teams may be hesitant to sign the 30-year-old back. Plus the dreaded age that throws up a red flag to teams. He’s bench depth at best.

Potential landing spots: San Francisco 49ers or Miami Dolphins.

Sony Michel, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 27

Michel was finally able to live up to that first-round expectations as he surpassed Darrell Henderson Jr. and had six straight games with over 18 carries. Once Cam Akers came back during the playoffs, he became second fiddle in the offense. He’s a bench depth player going forward.

Potential landing spots: Los Angeles Rams or Los Angeles Chargers.

Did I miss anyone? Let’s discuss! Hit me up on Twitter @RyanMiner_FFB. I would love to hear what you have to say!

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