The top free agent running backs of 2016

The running back position has been all over the place from a value standpoint in recent years. Top-tier runners like Adrian Peterson were still getting paid, but teams were hesitant to commit too much money to backs who only put together one big season.

On top of that, young rookie studs seemed to be everywhere. Doug Martin, Devonta Freeman and Eddie Lacy started coming on strong right out of the gate, and talented veterans stopped getting signed to large contracts. But while last year’s NFL Draft featured the most impressive running back classes in ages, the top two rookies wound up being Todd Gurley, who missed time early in the season with an injury, and Thomas Rawls, an undrafted player out of Central Michigan.

Running games all across the league are in constant transition. Teams are on the lookout for more rushing talent, and while many will now try to find the next stud runner in the NFL Draft, the free agent market is strong this year. Some of the big-name players, like Martin, could end up signing an extension before they hit the market, but even without him, this is a deep group.

Here are the eight running backs and one fullback who made our top 100 free agents of 2016 list.

Unrestricted

Martin burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2012, but he had a couple of disappointing, injury-riddled seasons since then. In 2015, Martin turned his reputation back around by playing all 16 games and becoming a force in Tampa’s offense, finishing second in the league with 1,402 yards. He also averaged 4.9 yards per carry, breaking off chunks of yards with authority.

Martin’s reliability was surely a reason for Jameis Winston enjoying a relatively stable rookie year, and the Bucs would like to keep him. If he hits the open market, he’ll certainly get the biggest payday out of all running backs, but there a few mitigating factors -- he doesn’t contribute much in the passing game and has issues with ball security, losing five fumbles last season. With offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter getting the promotion to head coach, there’s every reason to think Martin will stick around to carry the offense while Winston continues his growth.

Unrestricted

Forte is unquestionably one of the best running backs of his generation. He’s certainly the best Bears running back since Walter Payton. Over eight seasons, he has 8,602 rushing yards and 64 total touchdowns, adding 487 receptions for 4,116 yards in the passing game. His versatility should be cherished by teams looking for a back who can contribute on passing downs.

Unfortunately, Forte just turned 30 and seems to be slowing down already. He rushed for 898 yards in 2015, the first time since 2012 he’s failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark. A knee injury slowed him down and he spent the latter half of the season in a committee with rookie Jeremy Langford. Forte still has a lot to offer teams, but probably not as an every-down workhorse. His best bet may be to land somewhere with an established early-down back, allowing Forte to stay fresh and potentially chase a ring with a contending team.

Unrestricted

Largely overlooked during his six-year career, Chris Ivory has regularly delivered starting-level production with the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. He just completed his best individual season, which saw him amass nearly 1,300 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns. At age 27, Ivory should have plenty of quality seasons ahead of him.

Still, running backs don’t garner the interest they once did, and the 2016 NFL Draft has plenty of appealing options for teams in need of a boost in the ground game. The Jets haven’t expressed overwhelming interest in keeping the veteran tailback in town, and appear willing to let him walk instead of invest a large sum of cap space into a new deal.

If New York passes, Ivory could become the top back on the free agent market.

Unrestricted

A Miami native and two-year star at the University of Miami, Miller was taken by his hometown Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2012 draft. After playing a reserve role behind Reggie Bush during his rookie season, Miller moved into the starting lineup in 2013 and has been the No. 1 running back on the team’s depth chart ever since.

Because he hasn’t yet established himself as a true workhorse back, teams might be reluctant to commit big money to him. However, his relatively light workload and youth (he doesn’t turn 25 until April) also means that he’s got less wear on his tires than other options on the market and could be an attractive value for a running back-needy club.

Unrestricted

Tolbert is short but heavy and effective in bowling over defenders with regularity. He’s been a pass catcher, a blocker, a runner and much more since the Panthers signed him in 2012. The fullback may be considered a dying position in the NFL, but Tolbert is one of the best at what he does. Unfortunately, after going four consecutive seasons without a fumble, he coughed it up twice in a losing effort against the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Still, he’s a blocker with plenty of gas left in the tank and should find a home for 2016.

Unrestricted

The Broncos’ defense deserves most of the credit for leading them to the Super Bowl last season, but Denver’s running game was an integral part of the team’s success as well. C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman shared running back duties, and both of them are free agents this offseason.

Anderson is a bit easier to retain than Hillman, considering he’s restricted and can be tendered. Hillman, as an unrestricted free agent, is free to test the open market -- where he’s certain to have a number of suitors. Hillman, 24, led the Broncos with 863 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 207 carries in 2015. He also gained 111 yards on 24 catches.

With Von Miller, Brock Osweiler and Malik Jackson also free agents, the Broncos probably have higher priorities than re-signing Hillman. Given that Anderson could be back at a more manageable price, Hillman seems positioned to move on this spring.

Unrestricted

Morris has largely failed to live up to the hype from his outstanding debut season in 2012 when he set a franchise record with 1,613 rushing yards, the third-highest total by any rookie in NFL history. Despite never missing a game in four years, Morris’ total yardage and per-carry average has fallen steadily each season since that breakout campaign.

He hit rock bottom in 2015 with just 751 rushing yards and one touchdown on 202 carries. Morris was one of the least efficient rushers in the league, ranked 40th out of 47 qualifying running backs in yards per rush (3.7). Known for his powerful running style, Morris struggled to break tackles and often looked a step slow last season.

Still, he’s got three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and has a proven track record as a workhorse back. The big question is whether Morris’ dramatic drop-off in production last year is the start of an inevitable decline phase or just a single-year blip for a 27-year-old running back that has plenty left in the tank.

Unrestricted

Powell missed five games due to injury last season, but still caught 47 passes for 388 yards and rushed for 313 yards on 70 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. He and also had three total touchdowns, one on the ground and two thorough the air. Powell really grew as a receiver as the season progressed and a lot of his value is tied up in that. With five seasons in the league, all of which have been with the Jets, Powell could be on the verge of breaking out.

Unrestricted

At this stage in his career, LeGarrette Blount is largely an unremarkable running back. But as the New England Patriots have showed over the last couple of years, he can be an effective bruiser when used properly.

Blount enjoyed two fantastic playoff games against the Indianapolis Colts in 2013 and 2014, rushing for 314 yards and six touchdowns combined in both contests. When the Pats needed a change of pace, he was more than capable of stepping up.

Blount’s production was steady in 2015, as he averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 12 games. After three years with the Patriots, he may be moving on this offseason. But Blount could be a decent secondary option for a team that’s looking to solidify its depth at the running back position.