Teams around the National Football League that are in the market for starting potential this offseason will have quite a few options. While the best class of running backs in free agency doesn't offer Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley-caliber talent, there are several 1,000-yard rushers this spring.
Let's dive into our NFL offseason predictions to see where the top running backs end up in NFL free agency.
Travis Etienne: Arizona Cardinals
Travis Etienne is not returning to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2026. The club is currently projected to be over the cap hit by $11 million and has more pressing needs than its former first-round pick, especially with the emergence of the fearsome Tuten. While the Kansas City Chiefs are a popular landing spot for Etienne, we don't see Brett Veach involved in a bidding war for one of the top running backs in NFL free agency. However, it feels like the Arizona Cardinals would be willing to make a move. Arizona may not be able to find itself a viable starting quarterback this offseason, but it could improve its rushing attack. The move here would be to sign Etienne to take over as the RB1, with Trey Benson as a complementary unit, and use the third overall pick on an offensive tackle to improve the run blocking for Etienne.
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Javonte Williams: Dallas Cowboys
A return to the Dallas Cowboys seems inevitable for Javonte Williams. He found a home in the Dallas offense last season, delivering a career year with over 1,300 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns, while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Given the number of starting running backs available, he won't necessarily get a big payday on the open market, so he can stick with the system in which he has excelled. We could see the two sides agree to a two-year deal worth around $7 million per season, which would provide a viable path for Dallas to exit the contract in 2027 with a small dead cap hit.
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Kenneth Walker III: Seattle Seahawks
Even if you take away the Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker led the Seattle Seahawks' offense and looked like one of the best running backs in the NFL during the playoffs. Using the franchise tag on him isn't a bad idea, even if the cost is around $14.5 million fully guaranteed for the 2026 season. However, we suspect Seattle will use the transition tag to see what extraordinary the market is willing to offer. Ultimately, with the potential equalizing, we expect Walker to return to Seattle next season.
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Rico Dowdle: Houston Texans
After rushing for 1,000 yards and averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 2024 with Dallas, running back Rico Dowdle had to settle on a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers for the 2025 NFL season. He began the campaign as a backup before posting an electric five-game stretch—650 rushing yards (130.4 rush ypg) and 6.3 ypc—that saw him inserted into Carolina's offense. However, Dowdle finished the regular season averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and 42.6 rushing yards per game in his final eight contests. He will have to settle for another one-year deal in NFL free agency. We like the Houston Texans as a fit, where Dowdle would have an opportunity to challenge Woody Marks for the starting job and at least be the 1B in the backfield committee.
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Breece Hall: Washington Commanders
There are already NFL rumors circulating this offseason that the Washington Commanders intend to spend big. One way that general manager Adam Peters can support third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is by providing him with a top-tier running back. Breece Hall's three-down skill set will be a nice complement to Washington's offense, giving Daniels a reliable checkdown option with elite YAC ability and a perennial 1,000-yard rusher who can handle 16-20 touches per game. Hall gets paid and it would be easy to see how this gives him a chance to finally play for a contender.
