Photo: USA Today Sports

Contracts can be a good source of dynasty information, including for injury and performance security. Below are the 12 veteran running back contracts to watch in the next year that have dynasty implications.

Related -- see running backs who could be cut before the 2024 season >>>

Franchise Tag Players

Three running backs, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard are currently on franchise tags and will be scheduled to be free agents unless they are extended by July 17. If they are not extended by July 17, they will have to play out the franchise tag contract in the 2023 season.

Saquon Barkley, NY Giants

Barkley had an elite RB2 finish as a rookie in 2018, then hobbled his way through an ankle injury in 2019. He then tore his ACL in 2020 and struggled to return to form in 2021. Barkley then bounced back in a contract year for an RB5 finish in 2022. The team was able to agree to a long-term extension with Daniel Jones in the offseason, the hour before the franchise tag deadline, allowing the Giants to use the tag on Barkley. Barkley’s 2022 metrics were his best since his rookie season, so the 2023 season will be a crucial season for him. Barkley seems unlikely to sign an extension before July 17’s deadline and should hit free agency in 2024.

Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas

Jacobs has been a top 24 running back in each of his first four seasons and has multiple top 12 seasonal finishes to start his career. Since 2008, the only other running backs selected in the first round of the NFL Draft to accomplish this feat have been LaDanian Tomlinson, Chris Johnson, Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, and Adrian Peterson. Jacobs is in a tier of high-floor and high-ceiling players. That group of players hit for an average of 3.4 more top 24 seasonal finishes after their 4-for-4 top-24 starts. Jacobs was in RB1 overall conversation until the final weeks of 2022 and could use a big contract year to cash in during free agency in 2024.

Tony Pollard, Dallas

Dallas released Ezekiel Elliott and placed the franchise tag on Pollard but did little else at the position. Dallas has Ronald Jones II and Deuce Vaughn, but neither projects as an every-down back at this stage of their career. Pollard suffered a broken leg in their playoff loss to the 49ers in January, but Dallas’ offseason moves demonstrate they have confidence he will be ready for a full workload in 2023. Pollard is a top-15 running back in dynasty formats and could rise early this season if he is healthy.

other free agents

Derrick Henry, Tennessee

Derrick Henry is entering the final year of his contract with a Tennessee Titans team that appears heading for a rebuild under new general manager Ran Carthon. The team released tackle Taylor Lewan, center Ben Jones, and wide receiver Robert Woods while allowing guards Dennis Daley and Nate Davis to leave in free agency. All these moves indicate a reset of their franchise and have led to trade rumors about Henry throughout the offseason. The team drafted Tyjae Spears in the third round of the NFL Draft, who should compete for a starting job in the event Henry is traded or leaves in free agency in 2024.

Austin Ekeler, LA Chargers

Austin Ekeler signed a 4-year, 24.5-million-dollar extension in 2020 which turned out to be arguably the best team value on a second contract for a running back in a generation. For example, according to Overthecap.com, Ekeler’s 2022 market valuation was 12.1 million dollars, while Ekeler only had a 7-million-dollar cap hit. Ekeler rightly said he is being underpaid and wants a long-term contract and requested a trade, but he does not appear to have a strong trade market. Outside of a contract extension, Ekeler will enter free agency at 28 years old in 2024, and despite his age, Ekeler has 1200 touches, the 17th-most among active players, a low number for such an impactful offensive player. He could find a reasonable multi-year contract if he escapes from 2023 healthy.

AJ Dillon, Green Bay

Despite being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Green Bay Packers, A.J. Dillon has never had an opportunity to be a full-time starting running back. In his first three years, he has five starts and a career-high season of 11 carries per game. Dillon was a workhorse in college and tested as an elite athlete at his size entering the NFL. He would be one of the first second-round running backs to play his entire contract with the team that drafted him and not get a starting opportunity in recent memory. Dillon should find an attractive market in free agency if he hits free agency in 2023.