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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday signed running back Saquon Barkley to a monster two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million. Barkley had just signed with Philly last offseason, inking a three-year,

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.

For fans hoping the Baltimore Ravens will be one of the team’s venturing into free agency looking to add a notable veteran this offseason, general manager Eric DeCosta poured cold water on the notion during his media availability at the NFL Combine on Tuesday.