The NFL free agent period starts in March 2015 and the running back position has some big names on the market, as Darren McFadden, Knowshon Moreno, Ryan Mathews, Justin Forsett, Mark Ingram, Roy Helu, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Justin Forsett, Ray Rice, Daniel Thomas, LaMichael James, Bobby Rainey, CJ Spiller and Frank Gore are available and that's not even mentioning the top player on the market in DeMarco Murray.
The position should have some major movement around the league, as the running back spot has been devalued a bit and is one of the most punishing in the NFL. Players like McFadden, Moreno and Mathews are targets to change teams along with Ingram and Forsett, as they both had strong seasons and could try to cash in. According to Pro Football Talk, Murray would like to stay with the Cowboys, but they have to sign Dez Bryant and may not be able to keep both players.
The Raiders likely will let Darren McFadden go, as they have Latavius Murray coming in and he could take over as the starter. McFadden has had injury issues, but this year he made it through without any issues and while he is 27 and getting older, he can be a solid contributor for teams. According to ESPN.com, the Bengals could be an option for McFadden, as he has a relationship with offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who coached him in Oakland.
When Jackson was in Oakland, McFadden was at his best, rushing for 11 touchdowns and over 1700 yards in a 20 game stretch. McFadden has talent, but he has not been able to put it together for a full season since back in 2010. That year he had a career high 1157 yards and 223 carries while making 47 catches for 507 yards. Teams that are looking at McFadden hope he can still do some of that in the future.
Mathews and Ingram are also hitting the market and they could be solid options for teams like the Dolphins and Vikings. The Vikings may get rid of Adrian Peterson, while the Dolphins have Moreno and Daniel Thomas hitting the market. Moreno was signed to a one year deal and played in three games last season, rushing for just 148 yards and now his future is up in the air. Mathews dealt with injuries once again this season after playing in all 16 games the previous year and that could affect his market.
Mathews is 27 years old and comes in after rushing for 330 yards in six games. In 2013 Mathews had his best season, rushing for a career high 1255 yards and six touchdowns. Justin Forsett is likely to cash in, as he put up a strong season in Baltimore following the Ray Rice situation. Forsett rushed for 1266 yards last season with eight touchdown and that was a career high for him. Forsett started for the first time in his career and doubled his previous total in carries for a season. Rice has not had much of a market, but who knows, some team could step up and sign him even after he beat his wife, but that remains to be seen.