2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Running Backs

Like their QB and WR Rooms, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a situation of uncertainty in their Running Backs room. All indications suggest that Najee Harris will depart after not having his fifth-year option picked up by the Steelers organization last year. Jaylen Warren is also not under contract, but he has the RFA tag and is expected to resign with the Black and Gold. Then there is the only true holdover from last season, Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson, however, didn’t produce as much as desired in 2024 and seems likely to be a cut candidate to add $2.8 million more in cap space to an already favorable number under the cap. Of course, the Men of Steel are expected to add through the NFL draft in April, but how high they draft at the position hinges on what they do in Free Agency. It seems more likely that the Steelers bring in a fairly significant RB in March and a third-day rusher in April. It’s doubtful that they explore the position via a trade.

Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Running Backs as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, actually be willing to pay handsomely or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Take a look and decide for yourself.

Most Notable Free Agent Running Backs 

Aaron Jones – Minnesota Vikings 

Age 30.2, 5’9”/208 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$7m per year

He’s not as burly as Najee, but Aaron Jones is a free agent that can get it done over 30, as he did with a career high in 2024 with 1,138 rushing yards to go with 50 catches out of the backfield. If the Steelers can get production out of Jones similar to what the Packers and Vikings got, both rushing and receiving, it would be worth his market value at 2 years and $14m. There’s an injury history with Jones, but he stayed healthy all last season. If he repeats that good fortune, the Steelers could get a good leader, a running back that brings consistent production and a solid partner for Jaylen Warren, should he stay.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 17, Rushing Attempts –255, Rushing Yards – 1,138, Rushing Touchdowns – 5, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 4.5, Rushing Yards/Game – 66.9, Yards After Contact – 411, Rushing First Downs – 49, Receptions – 51, Receiving Yards – 408, Receiving Yards/Game – 24.0, Receiving Touchdowns – 10, Receiving First Downs – 20, Fumbles – 5

PFF Position Ranking: 5

Overall PFF Grade: 75.8 (Good)

Free Agency Position Rank: 1

Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers 

Age 26.9, 6’1”/242 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$11.5m per year

I wonder if the Steelers would change their mind if the hand a chance to extend the fifth-year option to Najee. Despite being the only player in franchise history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in his first four years, Harris was good but not outstanding. Numbers don’t lie, though, as he has the second-most yards to only Derrick Henry since coming into the NFL in 2021, he ranks fifth in rushing yards and fourth in yards after contact. You can’t argue with the production. He was big and very capable but had very little burst and hardly reeled off that explosive dash to glory. Did he always have help in Pittsburgh? That’s an emphatic “No”! TI would welcome Najee back, but, despite no alleged animosity between the two parties, I have a feeling that his bags are packed, and the organization isn’t really fretting it.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 17, Rushing Attempts – 263, Rushing Yards – 1,043, Rushing Touchdowns – 6, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 4.0, Rushing Yards/Game – 61.4, Yards After Contact – 54, Rushing First Downs – 50, Receptions – 36, Receiving Yards – 283, Receiving Yards Per Game – 16.6, Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 13, Fumbles – 1

PFF Position Ranking: 16

Overall PFF Grade: 77.9 (Good)

Free Agency Position Rank: 2

J.K. Dobbins – Los Angeles Chargers 

Age 26.2, 5’10”/215 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$3.5m per year

Dobbins is a player that Steeler fans coveted way back in 2020, however thanked their lucky stars that he was not selected by the team for his unlucky penchant for sustaining season-ending injuries. Dobbins was unable th play in 42 of 51 games between 2021 and 2023, however a relatively healthy 2024 suggests that the legs of Dobbins may be fresh. This is absolutely a “buyer beware” situation for any team. But should the Steelers go this route, they would get a rusher that is hard to bring down and always productive with a career yards-per-carry of 5.2. This is the guy to keep an eye on.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 13, Rushing Attempts –195, Rushing Yards – 905, Rushing Touchdowns – 9, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 4.6, Rushing Yards/Game – 69.6, Yards After Contact – 489, Rushing First Downs – 47, Receptions – 39, Receiving Yards – 306, Receiving Yards Per Game – 153, Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 6, Fumbles – 0

PFF Position Ranking: 44

Overall PFF Grade: 66.6 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 3

Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns 

Age 29.5, 5’11”/227 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$3m per year

Everything about Nick Chubb’s injury history screams for teams to stay clear. But just what if 2024 was a knee-rehab year for the outstanding veteran. If Chubb regains his 2023 pre-injury form, he would be a great platoon signing for the Steelers. The broken bone at the end of 2024 is not the concern, but if Chubb can get a good bit of his one-cut ability back, he’d be a great fit. However, that’s a ginormous “if”.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 8, Rushing Attempts – 102, Rushing Yards – 332, Rushing Touchdowns – 3, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 3.3, Rushing Yards/Game – 41.5, Yards After Contact – 167, Rushing First Downs – 17, Receptions – 4, Receiving Yards – 21, Receiving Yards Per Game – 10.5, Receiving Touchdowns – 1, Receiving First Downs – 1, Fumbles – 1

PFF Position Ranking: 46

Overall PFF Grade: 57.5 (Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 4

Rico Dowdle – Dallas Cowboys 

Age 27.1, 6’0”/215 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$6.2m per year

Rico Dowdle emerged as a quality rushing option in his third year, but is he a one-hit wonder? I don’t think teams will think so. He’s a quality receiving and ball-carrying threat that had his best production after Thanksgiving, with four 100-yard games in his final six. However, he isn’t a scoring machine with only five TDs in 2024. Only two of them came on the ground. Dowdle is talented, but the Steelers mat have a similar player in RFA Jaylen Warren.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 16, Rushing Attempts – 235, Rushing Yards – 1,079, Rushing Touchdowns – 2, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 4.6, Rushing Yards/Game – 67.4, Yards After Contact – 509, Rushing First Downs – 53, Receptions – 39, Receiving Yards – 249, Receiving Yards Per Game – 15.6, Receiving Touchdowns – 3, Receiving First Downs – 13, Fumbles – 3

PFF Position Ranking: 22

Overall PFF Grade: 73.9 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 5

Kareem Hunt – Kansas City Chiefs 

Age 29.6, 5’11”/216 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$2.6m per year

Kareem Hunt is the NFL version of Michael Corleone in the Godfather trilogy, he is of questionable of character and just when you thought he was out, they pull him back in. Hunt was one of the “Chief” reasons that KC made it back to the Super Bowl once more. However, Hunt remains without a ring. While he’s not an every-down back, Kareem still has the shiftiness, speed, and ball-catching ability to thrive as a role player. It just doesn’t seem to be a fit in Pittsburgh, mostly because of character issues and similarities in game to Jaylen Warren.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 13, Rushing Attempts –200, Rushing Yards – 728, Rushing Touchdowns – 7, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 3.6, Rushing Yards/Game – 56.0, Yards After Contact – 329, Rushing First Downs – 42, Receptions – 23, Receiving Yards – 176, Receiving Yards Per Game – 13.5. Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 10, Fumbles – 0

PFF Position Ranking: 21

Overall PFF Grade: 74.4 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 6

Javonte Williams – Denver Broncos 

Age 24.8, 5’10”/220 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$6.9m per year

The Steelers were really interested in Javonte just a few years ago but they went with Najee Harris instead that season. Williams had a quality first two years in Denver but has lost mobility since a bad knee injury. Williams is young and could be a decent platoon option. There’s a possibility in Pittsburgh looking his way, but it feels like his name would be further down on the list.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 17, Rushing Attempts –139, Rushing Yards – 513, Rushing Touchdowns – 4, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 3.7, Rushing Yards/Game – 30.2, Yards After Contact – 255, Rushing First Downs – 30, Receptions – 52, Receiving Yards – 346, Receiving Yards Per Game – 20.4 Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 14, Fumbles – 2

PFF Position Ranking: 50

Overall PFF Grade: 61.7 (Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 7

Jordan Mason (RFA) – San Francisco 49ers 

Age 25.8, 5’11”/223 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$1.7m per year

Mason made a great name for himself with all of Christian McCaffrey’s injury woes in 2024. At his age and price tag, I could see him getting a bigger role on San Fran soon. Plenty of talent here, but the Steelers aren’t signing a RFA RB not named Jaylen Warren.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 12, Rushing Attempts –153, Rushing Yards – 789, Rushing Touchdowns – 3, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 5.2, Rushing Yards/Game – 65.8, Yards After Contact – 348, Rushing First Downs – 37, Receptions – 11, Receiving Yards – 91, Receiving Yards Per Game – 7.6. Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 5, Fumbles – 3

PFF Position Ranking: 27

Overall PFF Grade: 72.7 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 8

Jaylen Warren (RFA) – Pittsburgh Steelers 

Age 26.3, 5’8”/215 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1years/$7.1m per year

Jaylen Warren, with the RFA designation, seems likely to remain in Pittsburgh. He’s a dynamic runner with “pinball” qualities as he shoots into the field of play while spinning and bouncing off of defenders. He may fit better as a part of a platoon with one of the players listed above, but that hasn’t always been the way in the Steel City recently.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 15, Rushing Attempts –120, Rushing Yards – 511, Rushing Touchdowns – 1, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 4.3, Rushing Yards/Game – 34.1, Yards After Contact – 232, Rushing First Downs – 28, Receptions – 38, Receiving Yards – 310, Receiving Yards Per Game – 20.7, Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 16, Fumbles – 2

PFF Position Ranking: 46

Overall PFF Grade: 64.3 (Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 9

Ty Johnson – Buffalo Bills 

Age 27.5, 5’10”/213 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$2.7m per year

The hope is that Ty Johnson could go from supporting cast to starter. That’s a big ask though. Johnson was more of a Special Teams guy until getting involved so much more in Buffalo in 2024. Johnson may be more suited to be a third-down back but could be valuable. Just like others, the fit may not be right due to the player being too similar to one that they are trying to resign in Warren.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 17, Rushing Attempts –41, Rushing Yards – 213, Rushing Touchdowns – 1 Rushing Yards/Attempt – 5.2, Rushing Yards/Game – 12.5, Yards After Contact – 107, Rushing First Downs – 13, Receptions – 18, Receiving Yards – 284, Receiving Yards Per Game – 16.7, Receiving Touchdowns – 3, Receiving First Downs – 14, Fumbles – 0

PFF Position Ranking: 26

Overall PFF Grade: 73.5 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: 10

Honorable Mention 

Raheem Mostert – Miami Dolphins

Age 32.8, 5’10”/205 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$4.1m per year

Mostert is absolutely a pure gamble, especially with his age at nearly 33, and the fact that 2024 was a rough year statistically falling from 4.9 ypa to 3.3. But he is a guy that led the league in total touchdowns in 2023 with 21. In 2024, Mostert was at a mere two leading to his release a few weeks back. There’s still some speed remaining, but there’s an injury history too. This may be a guy you try at a veteran minimum at the last minute, but the Steelers are unlikely to look Raheem’s in direction.

2024 Stats: Games Played – 13, Rushing Attempts – 85, Rushing Yards – 278, Rushing Touchdowns – 2, Rushing Yards/Attempt – 3.3, Rushing Yards/Game – 21.4, Yards After Contact – 135, Rushing First Downs – 13, Receptions – 19, Receiving Yards – 161, Receiving Yards Per Game – 12.2, Receiving Touchdowns – 0, Receiving First Downs – 10, Fumbles – 2

PFF Position Ranking: 37

Overall PFF Grade: 69.3 (Above Average)

Free Agency Position Rank: NR

Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Running Backs

Jaylen Warren – See Above

Other Notable Free Agent Wide Receivers  

Avery Williams – Atlanta Falcons

Mike Boone – Carolina Panthers

Raheem Blackshear (RFA) – Carolina Panthers

Darrynton Evans – Chicago Bears

Travis Homer – Chicago Bears

D’Onta Foreman – Cleveland Browns

Nyheim-Milller Hines – Cleveland Browns

Chris Evans – Cincinnati Bengals

Khalil Herbert – Cincinnati Bengals

Trayveon Williams – Cincinnati Bengals

Craig Reynolds – Detroit Lions

A.J. Dillon – Green Bay Packers

Dare Ogunbowale – Houston Texans

Trey Sermon – Indianapolis Colts

D’Ernest Johnson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Samaje Perine – Kansas City Chiefs

Alexander Mattison – Las Vegas Raiders

Ameer Abdullah – Las Vegas Raiders

Ezekiel Elliott – Los Angeles Chargers

Ronnie Rivers (RFA) – Los Angeles Rams

Jeff Wilson Jr. – Miami Dolphins

Cam Akers – Minnesota Vikings

JaMycal Hasty – New England Patriots

Kene Nwangwu – New York Jets

Kenneth Gainwell – Philadelphia Eagles

Elijah Mitchell – San Francisco 49ers

Patrick Taylor – San Francisco 49ers

Chase Edmonds – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Josh Kelly – Tennessee Titans

Julius Chestnut (RFA) – Tennessee Titans

Jeremy McNichols – Washington Commanders