2020 NFL Free Agency Dynasty Preview: Running Back

Ryan McDowell Posted On March 12, 2020

This time next week, dynasty fantasy football players will be fully engulfed by free agency frenzy. The excitement and activity that comes about when players change teams is one of the best parts of following sports, but in many years, the mid-March free agency period ends up being a cruel joke. Players are franchised or re-signed and the “big names” rarely actually move. This year feels different.

In this series, I’ll provide an overview of the upcoming free agency period, focusing on the neediest teams at each position and the players who are (or could be) on the open market.

Next up, it’s the running backs.

Holes to Fill

Houston Texans

The Texans have gotten by with veteran Lamar Miller for the past few years, but when he went down last preseason with an injury, they were forced to make a small move at the position, adding Carlos Hyde. Now, both vets are free agents and the Texans have plenty of money and a gaping need in their offense. While they still have Duke Johnson on the roster, the team has made it clear he won’t get a shot at lead-back touches.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins dumped Kenyan Drake mid-season last year and finished out their season with a combination of late-round draft picks and street free agents. The team was surprisingly competitive in the second half of the season. While they have an obvious need, they have also shown to be fiscally sound, a sign they will likely fill this need through the NFL Draft rather than free agency.

Tennessee Titans

The assumption is that the Titans will find a way to retain free agent Derrick Henry. They are also reportedly considering cutting backup Dion Lewis. If Henry leaves town, the Titans would be a top location for free agents or rookie backs, given their offense is built around the running game.

Looking for an Upgrade

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons running game has struggled over the past couple of seasons. Veteran Devonta Freeman has suffered multiple injuries and Tevin Coleman left for the west coast. The team is clearly looking for help through the draft given their poor cap situation.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were seemingly running back rich at points last season, with David Johnson, Chase Edmonds and Drake all producing when given a chance. Now though, there are questions. Drake is a free agent and the Cardinals seem ready to part ways with Johnson and his massive contract. The assumption is they would like to bring Drake back but that would be a lot of cap space committed to the backfield.

Denver Broncos

Undrafted Phillip Lindsay has been a pleasant surprise for the Broncos the past two seasons, but recent rumors have the team looking for an upgrade. Royce Freeman has been a bust and Lindsay could be better served as part of a committee.

Detroit Lions

The Lions went through seven different running backs last season, losing most of them to injury, including starter Kerryon Johnson. I doubt the team is ready to give up on Johnson, but they certainly need an adequate backup option in case he suffers yet another injury.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs added some depth to the backfield last off-season, signing veteran LeSean McCoy and drafting Darwin Thompson. Unfortunately, neither made much of an impact and the team went back to relying on Damien Williams. That has worked for the playoff run the past two seasons, but it won’t be a surprise if the Super Bowl champions look to upgrade.

Pittsburgh Steelers

James Conner went down with an injury, over and over again, and the Steelers had no answer. Jaylen Samuel failed to live up to the preseason hype and Benny Snell was just adequate, an okay backup but no more. This team is not going to give Conner a new deal following the 2020 season so finding an upgrade now is the way to go. That’s likely to be done through the draft, not free agency though.

San Francisco 49ers

It might seem odd to find the Niners, who made a run to the Super Bowl on the back of their running game, on this list. The team has invested a lot into their backfield, including heft free-agent deals for Jerick McKinnon and Coleman, with little to show for it. Instead, they’ve gotten production from oft-injured Matt Breida and journeyman Raheem Mostert.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers turned to Ronald Jones last year and it didn’t go so well. He showed some brief flashes, but he simply didn’t do enough to earn the trust of a starting back moving forward. Jones should keep his roster spot, but this team will be looking for other options.

Currently Available

Melvin Gordon

Gordon’s holdout attempt in order to earn a huge payday was unsuccessful last year. Now as an unrestricted free agent, he’ll get to try the traditional path, but I doubt that will be much better for him. Some team out there will sign Gordon and hand him a starting job, but I expect his options to be few. Houston, hello!

Derrick Henry

Henry has pit up back-to-back monster seasons for the Titans and is now reportedly looking Ezekiel Elliott money. That’s probably not going to happen. The best-case scenario is for Henry to return to the Titans, but the team also has to manage a free agent quarterback, so there are no certainties.

Kenyan Drake

Following his trade to Arizona last season, Drake broke out and put up huge numbers. In the season’s final month, Drake was the RB3 behind only Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley. There have been few reports about Drake’s intentions, but dynasty owners should be cheering for him to stay with the Cardinals.

Kareem Hunt

Entering his fourth year in the league, Hunt will be a restricted free agent. New Browns general manager Andrew Berry has already announced the team would be tendering Hunt, meaning he is likely to remain in Cleveland.

Jordan Howard

After some solid years with the Bears, Howard was dealt to the Eagles last off-season. He began the season as the starter and held off rookie Miles Sanders for a while, until an injury sidelined him and ended his season. Howard has suggested he’d like to return to the Eagles though the feeling may not be mutual. He is unlikely to land a starting job and should settle for being the bruiser part of a committee.

Lamar Miller

Miller has been the definition of replacement level for years now and that proved true last season. After a preseason injury, Miller was replaced by street free agent Hyde. Miller will have to take a league-minimum deal to find a job.

Matt Breida

Breida earned a reputation as one of the toughest backs in the league, mostly due to his constant battle with injuries of all kinds. As a restricted free agent, Breida is likely to stay with the Niners, assuming they want him.

Could Hit the Market

Devonta Freeman, ATL

This group is not nearly as exciting as the quarterback class. The Falcons have made it clear they are looking for an upgrade over Freeman, visiting with around a dozen rookie backs at the recent NFL Scouting Combine. With injuries and age against him, Freeman is yet another back who won’t get the contract he is likely looking for on the open market.

David Johnson, ARI

What an odd case for Johnson, who was playing well early in the 2019 season before his year, and career, was derailed by an injury. Drake took his job and now his contract is an albatross for Arizona. They would be glad to trade him for anything they can get and may consider outright cutting him. If and when he hits the open market, he could have multiple teams interested given his history as an elite producer. Landing in Tampa Bay and reuniting with Bruce Arians would be a best-case scenario and would revive Johnson’s dynasty value.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.