The 2024 draft class at running back is deep, but free agency is going to offer very appealing options for teams in the market at the position. With the arguably four top runners not expected to get franchise tagged, this is where I see them landing next month.
Saquon Barkley: Texans
While Giants general manager Joe Schoen indicated that things might have changed from the initial report thanks to the unexpected $30 million salary cap increase, the expectation is that Saquon Barkley will not receive the franchise tag for a second straight offseason. If you’re into the social media tracking thing, Barkley has followed Texans players recently—and Houston has plenty of cap space to offer him the best deal of any potential interested team. And one would imagine that Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is someone that Barkley would love to have scheme him into positions for success after a fantastic Year 1.
Derrick Henry: Ravens
Ultimately, as good of a fit as I believe it would be, Philadelphia’s philosophy seems to be not to spend much on running backs. So, I believe this might be a two-team race between the Cowboys and Ravens, with Derrick Henry deciding that Baltimore is a team he can best help take the next step to a championship level. King Henry would help ensure the team does not get away from the run game in January, and he’d form a dangerous duo with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
Josh Jacobs: Raiders
Considering Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce called Josh Jacobs his building block on the offensive side of the ball, he’s unlikely to go anywhere despite the team likely not placing the franchise tag on him this year. Jacobs dealing with injuries last season following his league-leading 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 might make it less likely another squad comes in with a huge offer for the 26-year-old. New Raiders general manager Tom Telesco says they are “going to explore pretty hard” to see if they can bring Jacobs back, and overall, the violent runner just feels like a Raider.
Tony Pollard: Cowboys
Micah Parsons said that Tony Pollard was “catching his rhythm again” at the end of last season and feels the team should bring him back, and it makes sense for both Pollard and the Cowboys to make a deal happen. Remember, Pollard was coming off a broken leg from the 2022 postseason; it can take time to round back into form, as Parsons believes was the case. The big-play threat is comfortable in the offense, and Dallas wants to be able to run the ball. I think they end up with one of these four backs, and the incumbent is the best bet—though I’d keep an eye on the Eagles for Pollard if the price stays low enough.