The Green Bay Packers will need to improve their running back room this offseason. We are now aware of the players available in free agency at the position. Here is a look at five free agent running backs that could help the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
The Packers are still not sure who will be returning in 2024. GM Brian Gutekunst is still negotiating with Aaron Jones to reduce his cap hit for the coming season. A.J. Dillon will be an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to return to the Packers. Emanuel Wilson hopes to have a bigger role in his second NFL season.
The Packers are looking for a big back to replace Dillon and a younger back who can keep Jones fresh (if he stays with the team) and eventually take over as his career winds down.
The Packers will certainly add at least one running back in the draft this season, but a free agent is also a real possibility.
Free Agent Running Backs That Could Help the Packers Number One: Derrick Henry
At 30, Derrick Henry is old for a running back. Still, you can’t deny how successful he’s been during his NFL career. He still managed to gain 1,167 yards while playing all 17 games last season and he scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
Henry played with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur with the Titans back in 2018. His best season came in 2020 when he gained 2,027 yards and ran for 17 touchdowns.
The Packers may not be willing to give big bucks to Henry at this stage of his career, but he certainly could give the team a boost over the short term especially if both Jones and Dillon do not return.
Number Two: Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley possesses a lot of talent and is younger than Henry, but he also has a long injury history. The 27-year-old former Penn State star gained more than 1,000 yards rushing in a season three times and can be a game breaker when healthy.
In addition to his running skills, Barkley can be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, something the Packers covet in their offense.
Barkley will probably be too expensive for the Packers, but he is one of the top running backs available.
Free Agent Running Backs That Could Help the Packers Number Three: Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs is only 26. He led the NFL with 1,653 yards rushing in 2022 but missed four games last year and fell off to 805 yards with the Raiders. His average yards per carry fell from 4.9 in 2022 to 3.5 last season.
Jacobs is also a dangerous receiver, and he has a nose for the end zone. Twice he has run for 12 touchdowns on a season.
This is Jacobs’ first crack at free agency. He played on the franchise tag last season and will be looking for a lot of money before signing a new deal.
Number Four: Tony Pollard
Tony Pollard is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Cowboys. The former fourth-round pick out of Memphis also caught 55 passes last season.
Pollard has remained in the lineup for Dallas and has less wear over the course of his career than the first three players on this list.
He will turn 27 before the start of the season so Pollard should have some good years left. Pollard would likely be a bit less costly than some of the other players on this list.
Free Agent Running Backs That Could Help the Packers Number Five: Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler may not be the type of runner who could carry the ball 25 times per game, he is the best receiver of this free agent running back class and he and Jones could make a very dangerous top two runners.
The former Western State star will be 29 this season so he would be more of a short-term solution. Ekeler has never gained 1,000 yards rushing in a season, but he’s topped 900 yards in both 2021 and 2022.
Last season, he slipped to 628 yards while playing in 14 games and his average went down from 4.5-yards per carry in 2022 to 3.5-yards per carry in 2023.
Assuming the Packers feel Ekeler still has something left in the tank, he could be a good fit in LaFleur’s offense.
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