2024 NFL free agency: Ranking top 10 running backs available, projected contracts, best team fits

The top 10 RBs searching for new deals

If we learned one thing from the last NFL offseason, it's that the league doesn't want to pay running backs. A total of six NFL players were franchise-tagged last year, with half of them being running backs. The three running backs were the only players of the six who did not eventually receive long, lucrative contract extensions. 

It turned into a major storyline, with players like Austin Ekeler, Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry voicing their frustrations. What's fascinating is that even more big-name running backs are free agents this offseason.

We did see one running back "break through" last year in Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts, who signed a three-year, $42 million extension that made him the No. 3 highest-paid running back in the league. However, it was actually Zack Moss who was the Colts' leading rusher in 2023. Did the Taylor contract just prove NFL owners' theories that running backs are more replaceable than other positions? Did the Taylor contract provide a new "floor" for free agents to shoot for?