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.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
Jonathan Taylor finished as the RB1 in 2021 before an injury-shortened 2022 season. Taylor will look to rebound under new head coach Shane Steichen’s offense and is well-situated for a top-of-the-market extension this offseason. Like Jacobs, Barkley, and Pollard, Taylor is a good candidate to be franchise tagged if he is not extended before next offseason.
Cam Akers, LA Rams
Cam Akers has a fascinating career arc. He was a second-round pick in a loaded second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After splitting a workload with Darrell Henderson in 2020, Akers then tore his Achilles in the 2021 offseason before he accelerated his rehabilitation which allowed him to return for the team’s Super Bowl run. Then in 2022, Akers had a disappointing start before he was made a game-day inactive and then put on the trade market. After he was not traded before the 2022 trade deadline, Akers returned to the lineup, started the final seven games of the season, and finished with 100 yards in each of his final three games. Akers will need to prove himself in 2023 before hitting free agency. His second contract could be a good sign for running backs who suffer a torn Achilles.
Antonio Gibson, Washington
Antonio Gibson entered the NFL as a wide receiver convert out of Memphis but has failed to the receiving be the big receiving threat his college production suggested he was possible. The team drafted Brian Robinson in 2022, and Gibson had a season-high 72 rushing yards in 2022. Gibson has some hope for 2023, with new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy a candidate to rehabilitate Gibson’s receiving ability but could be a good candidate for a more optimized role in another offense in 2024.
D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia
D'Andre Swift has been a highly-priced fantasy football running back throughout much of his rookie contract but has failed to meet expectations to date in his career. Swift has struggled to hold up and fell behind both Jamaal Williams and Justin Jackson in snap share late in the 2022 season. In Week 10 of 2021, Swift had 33 carries and 130 rushing yards but has had only four games with double-digit carries in the year and a half since then. Detroit signed David Montgomery in free agency, then drafted Jahmyr Gibbs before trading Swift to the Eagles. Philadelphia is an offensive downgrade for running back scoring, and the team has a robust committee of backs with Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell all on the roster. Swift was basically traded to Philadelphia for the compensatory pick Philadelphia would receive if he is signed in free agency after the 2023 season, so the market may be more limited than dynasty GMs expect.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City
After being highly touted after being the first running back selected in the 2020 season and vaulting near the top of dynasty fantasy football rankings, Edwards-Helaire has disappointed. After 1100 yards from scrimmage in his rookie season, Edwards-Helaire has 1099 total yards from scrimmage in the following two seasons. Kansas City declined his fifth-year option, but he should compete with Jerick McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco in 2023.
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore
J.K. Dobbins was selected with the 55th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and, like Cam Akers, has been hampered by injuries during his career. Dobbins tore his ACL in 2021 and missed the season before returning in 2022. He then opted for a second surgery to clear up outstanding issues in his knee before returning in Week 13 with back-to-back 100-yard performances. Dobbins had a better receiving profile than he has displayed in his time with the Ravens to date. The change from offensive coordinator Greg Roman to Todd Monken could highlight Dobbins' pass-catching skill set before free agency in 2023.
The remaining players on one-year deals include former starters Damien Harris, Devin Singletary, and D'Onta Foreman, all in potential injury-away roles in 2023.
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