NFL Free Agent rumors will start flying once the Super Bowl is over and this season names like Knowshon Moreno, Ben Tate, LeGarrette Blount, Maurice Jones-Drew, Rashad Jennings and Darren McFadden are coming into the class as the top RBs on the market and those running backs look like they are set to cash in this offseason and all could be changing teams.
Moreno and Tate each had great seasons heading into 2014 and both should be in line for solid pay days, while McFadden may have hurt himself a bit heading into his free agency, as he continued his usual trend of missing games this season. McFadden came in looking to have a big year in 2013 and he ended up missing more games than last year and now he has missed 19 games over the last 41 games for the Raiders and that doesn't equal a nice payday for most players.
McFadden had his best season in 2010 with over 1,000 yards and another 500 receiving and he showed some of the explosiveness that got him drafted so high, but the Raiders likely will not retain him after his injury issues. McFadden has not played in a full schedule any season and has only played in 13 games as the most in any season in his career. McFadden has missed 29 games overall with various injuries and while he can catch the ball out of the backfield, adding him long term could be an issue and his injuries surely helped Rashad Jennings this season, as he was able to show off his skills as a starter and he now could cash in even if he stays with the Raiders. Jennings led the team in rushing with 733 yards and six touchdowns and McFadden was injured and now he could be in line for a starting job elsewhere and he finished with a nice YPC average as well.
Another player that benefitted from an injury was Ben Tate, as Arian Foster went down and he came through with over 700 yards and he showed his toughness by playing with broken ribs. This season he scored four touchdowns and he has the makings of a starter with another team, as he is just 25 years old and has shown good speed and running skills. Moreno, Blount and Jones-Drew should be in high demand as well and based on how those teams run, all three could be elsewhere.
The Broncos loved what Moreno did this season, but just last year he was in the dog house and even though he gained over 1,000 yards and went in for 10 touchdowns, the team focuses on the passing game and they could bring in someone else to start. Jones Drew comes in looking for a new deal at an older age and the Jaguars might be ready to move on and he could be a solid option for a team like the Raiders. Blount was solid after being traded to the Pats, rushing for 166 yards and four touchdowns in their playoffs win, but if he looks for a big payday, the Pats may pass.
