Notable Free Agent Running Backs That Can Still Make an Impact

It feels like more than ever, there is a solid amount of running back talent still available in early August. Around this time of the year, most notable names have already been scooped up off the open market. Today, I plan on taking a deep dive into a few players who have yet to sign that I think can make a positive impact on an NFL team. Each of these backs has their reasons for not being signed yet, but each one still can provide a spark for a team and can help them go on a Super Bowl run.

Dalvin Cook

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Cook was released from the Vikings earlier in June, but he has yet to sign with a team. This is not surprising due to the current climate of running backs in the NFL. Cook has been linked to numerous teams so far this summer. He has had interest from the Dolphins, Cowboys, Patriots, Bills, and now the Jets. He recently visited the Jets for a meeting, yet he left with no deal signed. I’m not sure where Cook will sign, this has been an interesting yet repetitive story to follow. Where ever he does go, the team will be getting a playmaker at the highest level. Cook when healthy is a threat both in the backfield and in the receiving game.

Kareem Hunt

Photo by: Scott Galvin/USA TODAY Sports

Another dual threat in the backfield is free agent back Kareem Hunt. Hunt has gotten some interest this off-season but has not signed yet. A team that makes the most sense to pick up Hunt is Dalvin Cook’s former team, the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, Minnesota got worse at the position, but they still have Alexander Mattison. He just recently suffered a nonserious injury, and he is reported to be fine. Still, this should give the Vikings even more of a reason to sign Hunt. I think Hunt and Mattison could produce around the same results as Mattison and Cook if everyone can stay healthy. At some point, one team will take a chance on Hunt, we will just have to wait and see who that is.

Ezekiel Elliott

Photo by: Chris Carlson/AP

After seven years, Ezekiel Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys. This comes as no shock as many saw this move coming. Elliott has slowly been taking steps backward for the last couple of years. Also, it doesn’t help that the Cowboys’ backup running back Tony Pollard, has broken out in 2022 and looks to do that for years to come. Pollard at this time is just better than Elliott. He’s faster, he turns the edge quicker and is better in the receiving game, you name it. Though Elliott has been slowing down, he is still a solid goal-line back. In 2022, Elliott totaled 12 touchdowns, a majority if not all of these were in the red zone. His longest rush of 2022 only being 27 yards says a lot about where he is physically. As much as I didn’t like Elliott since I’m an Eagles fan, I’d like to see him in the league still. He has plenty of personality and can still produce as long as he is splitting carries. It sucks seeing him not be a premier back anymore, but that’s just what happens to runningbacks, they eventually break down.