During free agency this year, a lot of running backs found new homes. Not only that, they found somewhere that they will play a completely different role. Even with the draft coming soon, these players will be looking to have a fresh start with their new teams and make bigger impacts. Some of these teams will most likely draft a running back but since this year’s running back draft class doesn’t seem to have anyone as first round material, this will be the year these players make their stamp on the roster and hopefully keep themselves as high as they can on the depth chart.
New Starters
Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns: Tate has earned his right to start in the NFL and will fight for his position. Out of all the backups turning into starters, Tate is one of the most exciting ones. In Houston, Arian Foster is without a doubt their starter. But, when he would be hurt, the Texans would barely even flinch because they knew they had someone that could be just as successful in Tate. He is only 25 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. An example of how great he is would be in his rookie season, where he almost eclipsed one thousand yards while just being a backup with no more than two starts. The Browns rushing offense now has an upgrade and is looking to be a threat on the ground.
Toby Gerhart, Jacksonville Jaguars: One of the well known free agent acquisitions in the league was when the Jaguars snatched Toby Gerhart. It meant that the reign of Maurice Jones-Drew was over. Gerhart is well known for being the backup of Adrian Peterson, which means he had a great mentor to help his game but because Peterson is so good, the chances of him getting playing time was slight. Gerhart is known for being a good all-around runner, blocker, and even pass catcher and with an average of 7.9 yards per carry last season, which ended up with him getting grabbed early in free agency. Though it may look like the Jaguars will draft someone to add some more depth to the position, Gerhart was already said to be the “bell cow” of this Jaguars offense who is trying to dig themselves out of last place in the league.
Veterans Looking to Bounce Back
Chris Johnson, New York Jets: The Jets recently got Chris Johnson and are looking for him to spark the offense. He will join Chris Ivory in the depth chart for carries but with his history, he would be ahead of him with an offense that will take on a new thunder and lightning approach. Chris Johnson has not had a season without rushing for one thousand yards and this next year will not be any exception, especially with a run heavy offense like the Jets.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Oakland Raiders: Jones-Drew didn’t come off the free agent market very quickly but will be given a chance to regain his old mojo. While he might not be the automatic starter, Jones-Drew will be sharing carries with Darren McFadden. He is a more reliable runner than McFadden and once he learns the offense, he will be able to take the team by storm. The Raiders havent had a one thousand yard rusher since 2007 and Jones-Drew may be the key to break that misfortune.
Starters Sharing the Load
Knowshon Moreno, Miami Dolphins: Moreno just came off his best season and that is a rarity with free agents. The best thing for Moreno is that he is going to be put in another running back committee and will lead the team. He will struggle because the offense is’nt as dynamic as the Broncos but his role will be the same. I expect him to get the ball more because he is a lot more established than his fellow RB’S on the Dolphins roster.
Rashad Jennings, New York Giants: Jennings had a big year with the Raiders and had career highs in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and receiving yards. He was added to bring a spark to a rushing offense that was horrible and who failed to have someone rush over even five hundred yards. The Giants will benefit from someone who is ready to become a full fledged starter but has someone like Peyton Hillis, who will take some goal line carries from him. The Giants might bring in someone through the draft to bring in more depth to the position and Jennings might lose carries but nothing major. He looks to have the dynamics to have a big year for the G-Men.
Featured Photo: AP Photos/Nick Wass