NFL Free Agency : Running Backs

Ground and pound...sounds kind of classless, but in the NFL, it means eating up the play clock, getting yardage and grabbing solid control of the offense and game in general. There are some decent players at the running back position, others who have some injury questions and some team-focus questions. Let's take a look at free agent running backs in the NFL!

Ray Rice (RB - BAL) averaged 24.7 utilizations for 129.25 yards from scrimmage and 0.94 TDs in 16 games in 2011. That's a lot of punishment...but he is in his prime, has no huge track record of injury, nor down-time and just getting better. This means, my fantasy football friends, that Ray Rice will be franchised, will then sign a long-term deal (I'm envisioning 4-5 years, if not more) as the Baltimore Ravens expected to see more AFCC games.

Marshawn Lynch (RB - SEA) was a madman last season for the Seattle Seahawks. Averaging 80 yards a game, with 12 touchdowns on the ground, he became many weeks of the only offense that the Seahawks were looking at. This leads me to believe he gets resigned or tagged.

What is standing in his way of receiving some big bucks, or possibly even seeing the franchise tag, lays in the fact the Seahawks are more concerned with resigning Red Bryant (DE - SEA), the teams leading tackler the past three seasons, to a long-term deal, including using the franchise tag is necessary. Keep an eye who gets resigned and who doesn't, as Lynch is Seattle's backbone on offense.

Ben Tate (RB - HOU) is an appealing running back to quite a few teams. While rushing for a little under 1000 yards in 2011 in the NFL season, and 5 yards per carry as serving as the backup running back for the Houston Texans behind Arian Foster, he really looks to become a starting running back on an NFL roster this upcoming season. The Texans could also be looking for a 3rd round pick for Ben Tate, as Tate will only count for $500,000 against the cap over the next two years.

I am thinking offers will come in from the Jets and the Broncos initially, but look for the Buccaneers to grab a healthy running back in their rebuilding process of that offense.

Matt Forte (RB - CHI) has been fairly public about his contract situation and his desire to be resigned, long-term to the Chicago Bears. However, the Bears have been fairly reluctant to do just that, while Forte has been a solid offensive threat in the past few seasons.

Matt Forte has average 998 yards and 4 touchdowns over the past three seasons, while also grabbing 500 yards and one touchdowns on average in those three seasons. These type of stats, the all-around effect of a running back, makes him a primary target for a franchise tag, which is what most reports out of Chicago are stating.

Rashard Mendenhall (RB - PIT) wasn't initially on my list of projections, but you never know what will happen. Right now, the newest reports are saying he could miss all of the 2012 NFL season due to an ACL tear suffered during the regular season.

In the past 3 seasons, Rashard Mendenhall has averaged 1120 yards and 10 touchdowns per season. These are fairly attractive stats to teams...but then you have the flip-side. From a broken leg and ACL tear, to controversial stances and public tweeting about 9/11. Combine these together, and if he is fully recovered for this season and has a solid year, the Steelers may elect to trade or release him.

Michael Bush (RB - OAK) is in a good position, unless he wants to be an Oakland Raider in 2012. Last season, Michael Bush developed into a solid starting running back, going 977 on 256 rushes for 7 touchdowns, with 8 touchdowns in the previous season. He also saw 37 receptions for 418 yards last year.

However, with Darren McFadden already in the backfield, a $7.7 million price tag for a franchise designation for a backup running back doesn't equate. Look for him to potentially find greater pastures elsewhere, unless Oakland smartens up, and decides a 4 year contract isn't so bad for someone that will produce.

Peyton Hillis (RB - CLE) may have outlived his time in Cleveland. From his ability to hire sports agents who make his medical decisions for him, to him deciding to air contract frustrations during a losing streak, Hillis may have played his last down as a Brown.

Teams in need of Running Backs: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos

Teams in need of Running Back Depth or help: Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers