Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and more filled what was a loaded free agent class in 2024, but that won't be the case on this trip around the sun. The market is thin, resembling what you might find on the waiver wire during the middle of fantasy football season.

Last year worked out great for the free agent running backs in Fantasy and reality. Saquon Barkley became the ninth member of the 2,000-yard club and helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs were top six PPR running backs and helped their teams make the NFL playoffs.

Ashton Jeanty saw the value of running backs tank as his college career started taking off. Then he watched Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs revive the position last season.

Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty saw the value of running backs tank as his college career started taking off. Then Jeanty watched Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs revive

Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty noticed running back values declining just as his college career started to take off. Then he watched the resurgence of free agent acquisitions Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs and realized things were back on the upswing — just as Jeanty was becoming a marquee name in college football.

Derrick Henry's debut season with the Baltimore Ravens went so well that general manager Eric DeCosta didn't rule out extending the All-Pro running back's contract during his season-ending press conference in late January following a 27-25 AFC divisional-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

The Eagles running back became the league's highest paid at his position two years after he was franchise-tagged for $10.1 million. We spoke to league executives on the evolving market.

The era of running backs not mattering is over. Last offseason, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs all hit free agency, signed with good franchises, and had impressive performances in 2024.

Once the Cowboys fully committed to Dowdle as their lead back, he played very well. Over Dallas' last seven games Dowdle ran for 677 yards with a 4.8-yard average. Dowdle will be just 27 next season and while he has no draft pedigree or a long track record of success, the way he played late last season was impressive.

Running backs available in 2025 NFL free agency pale in comparison to the veteran riches on the open market from the 2024 offseason, but there are still valuable supporting backs to be had for much cheaper prices.

After suffering a fall from grace in perceived value in the early 2020s, running backs received a resurgence in 2024 due to the play of Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. Both players demonstrated that elite running back play can still carry your team very far.

NFL season, three of the seven highest-paid running backs had been free agents in March. And all three delivered, finishing the season ranked among the top six in rushing yards for teams that won at least 11 regular-season games.