The Washington Football Team is just over one week from the opening minutes of free agency and the front office is expected to be very active. One minor need is running back.
We’re almost there! Free agency arrives next Wednesday at 4pm EDT and the deals will be announced quickly. After a few days, we’ll know who the Washington Football Team signed, re-signed, and failed to sign. Yes, you win some and you lose some in free agency and it is more than just a cliché. Washington’s salary cap structure for 2021 likely makes them active participants this year and one position that may receive a small amount of attention is running back.
Washington has no major needs at the position, but adding a running back or two for depth purposes is definitely an option. Peyton Barber struggled for much of 2020 and it is possible that the front office will release him soon or bring in some competition. Bryce Love has not seen the field once in his two years with the team. Would it be surprising if the front office chose to release Love, or will they give him one final chance this summer?
Last week, we had Washington signing two receivers in free agency, and it wouldn’t be surprising if zero running backs are added in the coming weeks. We’re not ready to say that is what the team will do, but we’ll explore it today as we examine the upper, middle, and lower-tier running backs.
Welcome back to our winter free agency evaluation series. We have one more position to cover later this week – the quarterbacks! That is coming in a few days, but today, the running backs are front and center. Let’s get right to it!
Upper Tier
Aaron Jones, Packers
Aaron Jones will be the most sought-after running back in free agency, but that is like saying salt is the most important ingredient in a cake. Yes, he is a good running back, but he is just shy of being very good. Yes, Jones is a solid running back. No, he is not a good fit for the Washington Football Team.
Chris Carson, Seahawks
Chris Carson has enjoyed quite a bit of success in Seattle, but after solid seasons in 2018 and 2019, his production slipped a bit in 2020. At this juncture, Carson is a good third-down back and will help any team looking for long-term depth. As a starter, he may not be able to carry the load for an entire season.
Phillip Lindsay, Broncos
As a restricted free agent, the Washington Football Team could be in a position to steal Phillip Lindsay from Denver. He enjoyed a great 2019 season, but injuries limited him in 2020. However, he continued to produce when able to do so and Washington might be interested. Lindsay is very likely to be tendered in the coming days and there is no way Washington will surrender a second-round selection. Lindsay played his college ball at Colorado, so he is probably happy in Denver.
Prediction: None of these players will be in a Washington Football Team uniform this fall. Carson is intriguing, but it is simply not an option.
Middle Tier
Kenyan Drake, Cardinals
Kenyan Drake is a good running back and would be an excellent third down/relief option for the Washington Football Team. It is unknown if the Cardinals will bring him back, but the folks in Ashburn could be interested. Drake was expected to carry the load for Arizona in 2020, but his overall production did not match what the Cardinals wanted. However, his numbers are still solid and Washington should consider signing the former Alabama standout.
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
Make no mistake about it. Leonard Fournette is very talented, but he is an unsavory character at times. His production during Tampa Bay’s run to the Super Bowl title was impressive, but his stats for 2020 were not that great. Can Fournette put his sordid past behind and become a model citizen and football player for an entire season? Maybe, but it shouldn’t be in Washington.
Le’Veon Bell, Chiefs
It seems strange to place Le’Veon Bell among the middle tier players, as he was one of the elite running backs for several years. Bell is still a good back, but his best days are behind him. That doesn’t mean he is ready for the assisted living facility. Bell can still be an effective third-down back and a relief option when needed. He can also be a short-yardage and goal line back as well.
Prediction: The Washington Football Team could consider Drake or Bell at the right price. Drake will probably draw more attention in free agency and his contract could be too pricey for Washington.
Lower Tier
Wayne Gallman, Giants
Imagine playing in the shadow of Saquon Barkley and knowing that you can succeed as a running back in the NFL. Gallman had a good 2020 after Barkley was lost for the season to an injury. Gallman proved that he can be a reliable depth signing and he would be a great complement to Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic. His contract would be very team-friendly and the young running back from Clemson could share some needed intel on a division rival.
Jamaal Williams, Packers
Jamaal Williams could be a nice addition to the Washington Football Team backfield, but his body of work is limited. He had a great 2020 in relief of Aaron Jones, but one season does not make a career. However, Williams could be a good depth signing and provide what Washington is looking for in 2021.
Mike Davis, Panthers
Yes, he is a Panther and played for Ron Rivera and Scott Turner, but his journey to Carolina involved bouncing around the league before going to Charlotte. Carolina claimed him halfway through the 2019 season and he put forth a very good 2020. Did he catch fire for one season only or can he continue to play at a higher level? Rivera could be interested once again.
Prediction: Any of these three running backs could find a home in Washington, but Gallman is a real possibility. Keep an eye on him.
Additional Thoughts
Gone are the days when running backs commanded a lot of attention in free agency and the draft. The salaries for running backs are not what they used to be (inflation-adjusted) and the value has shifted to wide receivers and tight ends. Fair or not, that is a reality in the NFL today. Signing a running back in free agency can be an affordable option.
Will Washington add any of the aforementioned players or any other running backs in the coming weeks? Nothing can be ruled in or out, but it is likely that the Washington Football Team will give Bryce Love one more chance and Peyton Barber could return as well. Also, Washington could add a running back in the middle or later rounds of the draft.
We will not list the restricted free agent running backs. Most of them are likely to return to their teams and it makes little sense to mention any of them here. Running back is simply not a priority this offseason for the Washington Football Team.
Later this week we will take a look at the free agent quarterback market. It is a huge need this offseason and we’ll explore what Washington might do with our final look in this series.