Top three fullbacks for Redskins to target in 2020 free agency

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after catching the ball for a first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after catching the ball for a first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after catching the ball for a first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after catching the ball for a first down in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings. C.J. Ham. 2. player. 60. . Fullback

It should be noted that C.J. Ham is a restricted free agent, so it may be hard to pry him away from the Minnesota Vikings. But still, he is the second-best fullback that’s set to hit the market this spring.

Ham has been with the Vikings for three years since signing as an undrafted free agent out of Augustana College. And in 2019, he was voted into the Pro Bowl for his solid play as a part of the Vikings offense.

Ham has a well-rounded skill set and has done particularly well as a receiver over the course of his NFL career. In 2019, he set career-highs in targets (26), catches (17), and yardage (149) while also logging his first receiving touchdown. He had relatively sure hands and off play action, Kirk Cousins was able to find him open thanks to some solid play design in Minnesota.

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Beyond his receiving ability, Ham is a good run blocker. He helped pave the way for Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison on a number of their big runs during the season and was a big part of the team’s improvement from a bottom-five run offense in ’18 to a top-eight unit in ’19.

In order to lure Ham away from the Vikings, the Redskins would probably have to pay up for his services. It’s unclear what amount the cap-strapped Vikings would want to spend on a fullback, but perhaps a deal in the range of $1.5-$2 million will be too much for the Vikings to handle. That would put Ham anywhere among the top-seven to top-three paid fullbacks in the league.

Ultimately, Ham may be a bit too expensive if he’s on the restricted free agent market. But if the Vikings non-tender him, perhaps the Redskins would be able to get him at the $1.5 million mark or a little lower. But it’s no guarantee that will be a possibility.

UPDATE: Ham has re-signed in Minnesota on a four-year deal worth $12.25 million. That makes him the second-highest paid fullback in the league behind Kyle Juszczyk.