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2012 NFL Free Agents: Running Backs


2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Mock



2012 Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

  1. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens. Age: 25.
    Franchised by Ravens

    I don't need to tell you how great Ray Rice is. For the third year in a row, Rice has tallied at least 1,225 rushing yards, 63 catches and 550 receiving yards. He even scored a career-high 15 touchdowns in 2011. He'll be franchised.

  2. Arian Foster (RFA), RB, Texans. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Texans (5 years, $43.5 million)

    Arian Foster is one of the top running backs in the NFL. He can do it all, and he proved that his 1,600 rushing yards in 2010 weren't a fluke by totaling 1,224 rushing yards and 53 receptions in 13 games this past season.

  3. Matt Forte, RB, Bears. Age: 26.
    Franchised by Bears

    Matt Forte was having an All-Pro season before suffering an MCL sprain right after Thanksgiving. In just 12 contests, he rushed for 997 yards (4.9 YPC) and caught 52 balls for 490 receiving yards. With no holes in his game, he's one of the top running backs in the NFL.



  4. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Seahawks (4 years, $32 million; $18 million guaranteed)

    Marshawn Lynch is a tough one to rank. Based on what he did this year, he deserves 4.5 stars, but his lacking effort for most of 2010 and prior is alarming. Will he slack off after receiving a new contract like Chris Johnson, or will he continue to terrorize defenses with his punishing running ability? Caveat emptor, Seahawks.

  5. Michael Bush, RB, Raiders. Age: 28.
    Signed with Bears (4 years, $14 million)

    Michael Bush will be overrated on the market. He wore down as the season went along, and he didn't even start the whole year or anything. That's a big red flag.

  6. Mike Tolbert, RB, Chargers. Age: 26.
    Signed with Panthers (4 years)

    If you play fantasy football, you know about Mike Tolbert. He is a power runner with solid pass-catching ability.



  7. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions. Age: 25.
    Signed with Lions (1 year)

    There's no denying that Kevin Smith is really talented, but he's way too injury-prone and unreliable. He's lucky to make it through each week.

  8. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers. Age: 29.
    Ryan Grant doesn't have much left in the tank. He's a committee back at best going forward.

  9. Kahlil Bell, RB, Bears. Age: 25.
    Tendered by Bears

    I liked what I saw out of Kahlil Bell late in the year. He collects a good number of yards after contact, displays great vision and patience, and picks up his blocking assignments well. He can also catch passes out of the backfield.

  10. Tim Hightower, RB, Redskins. Age: 26.
    Re-signed with Redskins (1 year)

    Tim Hightower is a pretty mediocre running back with solid receiving skills, but he's coming off a torn ACL.

  11. Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns. Age: 26.
    Signed with Chiefs (1 year, $3 million)

    Peyton Hillis is a tough runner with good pass-catching ability when healthy, but the problem is that he's always banged up. He's just way too unreliable, and his fumbling issues don't help.

    Update: Hillis reportedly has thought about quitting football to become a CIA agent. Umm... what? Teams will definitely question his dedication.

  12. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals. Age: 29.
    Signed with Packers

    Cedric Benson can be a solid backup running back at this point of his career, but that's about it. Despite playing behind a really good offensive line, he couldn't even rush for four yards per carry.

  13. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants. Age: 30.
    Signed with 49ers (1 year)

    Brandon Jacobs had some good games down the stretch, but he averaged 3.8 YPC for the year. He'll be 30 in July, and considering his running style and ineptness in the passing game, he could be close to done.



  14. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Patriots. Age: 27. -- Signed with Bengals (3 years)
  15. Steve Slaton, RB, Dolphins. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Dolphins (1 year)
  16. Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks. Age: 26. -- Signed with Texans
  17. LaRod Stephens-Howling (RFA), RB/KR, Cardinals. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year, $1.927 million)
  18. Joseph Addai, RB, Patriots. Age: 29.
  19. Tashard Choice, RB, Bills. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Bills
  20. Jason Snelling, RB, Falcons. Age: 28. -- Re-signed with Falcons (3 years)
  21. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Jets. Age: 33.
  22. Cadillac Williams, RB, Rams. Age: 30.
  23. Mewelde Moore, RB, Steelers. Age: 30. -- Signed with Colts
  24. Kregg Lumpkin, RB, Buccaneers. Age: 28. -- Signed with Seahawks
  25. Jackie Battle, RB, Chiefs. Age: 28. -- Signed with Chargers
  26. Ronnie Brown, RB, Eagles. Age: 30. -- Signed with Chargers
  27. Maurice Morris, RB, Lions. Age: 32.
  28. Jerious Norwood, RB, Rams. Age: 29.
  29. Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs. Age: 34.
  30. Sammy Morris, RB, Cowboys. Age: 35.
  31. Rock Cartwright, RB, Raiders. Age: 32. -- Signed with 49ers (1 year)
  32. Lorenzo Booker, RB, Vikings. Age: 28.
  33. Derrick Ward, RB, Texans. Age: 32.
  34. Chester Taylor, RB, Cardinals. Age: 32.
  35. Jerome Harrison, RB, Lions. Age: 29.
  36. Kevin Faulk, RB, Patriots. Age: 36.




2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Mock


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Clovdyx 02-13-2012 12:26 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.84 (total posts: 1)
20     15

Forte has no holes in his game or in his o-line to run through.


I thought that joke merited a post.
PatsFan 02-09-2012 02:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.139 (total posts: 1)
30     16

The Pats need to somewhat make a run at Mike Tolbert if Benjarvus is not retained
Ball So Hard 01-31-2012 09:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.224 (total posts: 1)
13     11

Ravens better re-sign Ray Rice.If they dont they will not be in the AFC chapionship game ever aging.Joe Flaco is still not a eilte qauterback.
MarkieB89 01-27-2012 01:30 am xxx.xxx.xxx.200 (total posts: 2)
25     17

Have you notcied that the best backs are either 25 or 26?
Ha 01-22-2012 09:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.251 (total posts: 1)
23     16

Green Ellis is a 2 star. nothing more, nothing less.
Vernon 01-20-2012 06:48 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.145 (total posts: 1)
14     16

Theres rumors that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan will try to land a big time free agent runningback. I heard it might be Matt Forte.
Brokeback Cowboys fan 01-20-2012 12:39 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.21 (total posts: 1)
29     27

Those top 4 guys are getting re-signed. If your team is looking for a RB it better be in the draft. I thought Shonn Greene was an RFA this year, but I guess I was mistaken. The Jets should trade him anyway, he's one of those guys who seeks contact but he cant break a tackle or outrun anyone... he's a bum
@Cowboys fan 01-19-2012 06:46 pm xxx.xxx.xxx4.16 (total posts: 1)
13     29

Why?? He is kind of under contract right now...

And a one star?
bust_mode 01-19-2012 04:45 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.50 (total posts: 1)
24     27

has anyone seen the video of marshawn lynch tippin' his golf cart in a game at cal?
Cowboys Fan 01-19-2012 09:50 am xxx.xxx.xxx.131 (total posts: 1)
20     25

You're missing Felix Jones. He deserves 1 star.
Petey 01-19-2012 04:08 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.85 (total posts: 1)
21     48

To cover the Marshawn slacking thing yet again, that simply isn't very true.

Ever since he's put on a uniform he's gone all out. It wasn't particularly effective for most of 2010 and the start of 2011, but he was running behind a pretty horrific line, and he seems to be learning to run with zone blocking a lot better now. Still a worry he could get lazy I guess, but I don't like shots at his effort prior.
Jackie Battle 10-11-2011 09:02 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.237 (total posts: 1)
53     19

resigned as a chief!
GoBlue11 08-24-2011 06:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.164 (total posts: 1)
22     25

Mark down Hart as "retired". He's signed a coaching gig for Eastern Michigan and is considered a "soft" successor to Michigan's RB coach Fred Jackson.
WhiteBoiSwaqq 08-11-2011 04:47 am xxx.xxx.xxx0.58 (total posts: 1)
28     24

When is Mike Hart gonna get picked up?? He the HART ATTACK
Jakie 08-09-2011 09:49 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.204 (total posts: 1)
28     26

Jackie Battle resigned with Kansas City.




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