Free agency’s official starting date is on Monday, but as Rico Dowdle might be aware, news and deals in principle are often made the week before. As such, the de facto starting time for free agency and the new league year is in early March, although there is no official start time.
With deals potentially being written in pencil as soon as Tuesday, Mar. 3, here’s a look at the best running backs available on the market.
Top 5 NFL Running Back Free Agents and Logical Landing Spots That Make Sense
#5 – JK Dobbins
JK Dobbins has injury troubles, but when he is on the field, he is as effective as many star running backs. Dobbins has broken five yards per carry in two different seasons in his career, which gives him plenty of potential in a variety of offenses. After playing on just a $2 million deal (Spotrac), Dobbins could be the most cost-effective back on this list.
Potential Landing Spots: Steelers, Browns, Raiders
#4 – Kenneth Gainwell
Kenneth Gainwell was arguably the best running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, despite working as a backup to Jaylen Warren for much of the year. With Gainwell hitting the road, his next team will get a back that can rush and receive in a more than competent manner.
Potential Landing Spots: Vikings, 49ers, Cardinals
#3 – Travis Etienne
Travis Etienne saw a surge along with the rest of the Jacksonville Jaguars offense in 2025. However, it didn’t appear to be enough to win over the front office. As such, Etienne’s next team will get a 1,000-yard rusher who has shown the ability to do work through the air as well as on the ground.
Potential Landing Spots: Cardinals, Texans, Broncos
#2 – Kenneth Walker III
The Super Bowl 60 MVP is set to be a free agent in a far-from-conventional turn of events for Seattle’s running back. While his performance in the Super Bowl arguably won the team a Lombardi, Seattle’s history of sending out Trojan horses (D.K. Metcalf and Russell Wilson) is the only reason why Walker is not the unchallenged best running back on the market this month. Still, he is seemingly in his prime.
Potential Landing Spots: Vikings, Cardinals, Texans
#1 – Rico Dowdle
Inexplicably, the Carolina Panthers ran low on interest with the team’s breakout running back. As such, Rico Dowdle is available to the highest bidder. The team that ends up with the running back will get a back coming off two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in which he averaged 4.6 yards per carry. When it comes to free agents, Dowdle’s record is about as reliable as it gets.
Potential Landing Spots: Jaguars, Texans, Vikings
Read More News:
Breece Hall Shares Cryptic Message As Jets Turn Down Trade Speculation In Favor Of Franchise Tag
Fans Demand Rashee Rice To Get Traded After Evidence Of Kansas City WR Scamming Fans Surfaces
Did New York Franchise Tag Breece Hall? All We Know Amid Trade Speculations
Russell Wilson Makes Feelings Very Clear On Sean Payton Beef After Viral Tweet: “I’ve Beaten Sean”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
