Mason's top 10 running back free agents
Andrew Mason lists his top 10 running back free agents for the 2018 offseason.
Although using the franchise tag on Bell for a second consecutive year is not the most appetizing option, it could provide a window for the Steelers to work out a long-term deal with Bell. Both sides have expressed openness to reaching a new contract in recent weeks. Bell's production is undeniable as a runner and as a pass-catcher, and if the Steelers do not tag him, he will shoot to the top of this year's free-agent class. (Ric Tapia/AP Images)
The Patriots maximize the effectiveness of their running backs, but what makes Lewis attractive compared to some of their other backs is his all-around ability. He had the broadest range of responsibilities, which allowed him to become the only Patriots running back to accumulate over 1,000 yards from scrimmage last year. Lewis is 27 and has been in the NFL since 2011, but he has just 417 career touches on his ledger and should have plenty left in his tank. (Aaron M. Sprecher/AP Images)
A solid, dependable back on a bad team, Crowell is one of 13 backs to post at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of the last two seasons. He has never posted a 1,000-yard rushing season, but he's also averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in three of the last four years and can accumulate yardage after contact. Crowell has also never missed a game in his four-season career. (Keith Srakocic/AP Images)
Like Crowell, Hyde has offered steady production for a struggling team, posting back-to-back seasons of over 1,100 yards from scrimmage. But his per-carry average dropped from 4.6 to 3.9 yards last season, and even though he came within 62 yards of his first 1,000-yard rushing season, he didn't break 100 yards in any single game. His first-down percentage of 18.3 percent was also the lowest of his career and could lead the 49ers to move in another direction. (Rick Scuteri/AP Images)
The Pro Football Hall of Fame should call on Gore soon after he becomes eligible, but after leading the Colts with 1,206 yards from scrimmage and coming just 39 yards short of his 10th 1,000-yard season, he should get the opportunity to extend his career at least one more season if he chooses. Although he doesn't have the same explosiveness as he did in the 2000s, the 34-year-old Gore still grinds out consistent 4- and 5-yard gains, and he broke 100 yards twice in the last four games of the regular season, including a 130-yard performance in the snow at Buffalo in Week 14. Amazingly durable, Gore has played in 120 consecutive games (including postseason) dating back to the start of the 2011 season. (AJ Mast/AP Images)
It came as no surprise that the Bucs released Martin on Tuesday after six seasons. Martin was the ultimate boom-or-bust back in recent years. His two best seasons were spectacular; he surpassed 1,400 yards as a rookie in 2012 and again in 2015. (That second 1,400-yard season allowed him to earn a second contract that the Bucs got out of this week.) Not coincidentally, those two 1,400-yard seasons came in the only campaigns that saw him play more than 11 games. He missed a total of 28 games over the course of his other four seasons and failed to break 500 yards in any of those years, averaging fewer than 4.0 yards per attempt each time. If you believe in patterns, then Martin's one-year-up, two-years-down cycle means that he's set for a big year in 2018, but the reality is that injuries have cost him at least five games in four of the last five seasons. (Jason Behnken/AP Images)
The 250-pound Blount remains one of the game's best finishing backs, as he averaged 4.7 yards per carry in the fourth quarter last season, with 34.1 percent of his yards coming in the final 15 minutes as he helped the Eagles put away one foe after another. The only negatives on Blount are advancing age (he turned 31 in December) and the fact that just 17.3 percent of his attempts moved the chains last year, his lowest percentage since 2012. (Chris O'Meara/AP Images)
It took a while for the ex-Georgia Southern quarterback to adjust to playing running back at the next level, but he has gradually emerged as a solid situational back, posting career highs in receptions (51), receiving yards (421), rushing yards (570) and total touchdowns (5) last season. McKinnon's per-carry average was down as the Vikings' offensive line struggled at times last season, but he showed his explosiveness with a career-high 8.3 yards per reception. He is particularly effective on wheel routes and should be a good situational back in the right scheme. (Al Tielemans/AP Images)
Hill battled an ankle injury last year, but even before going on injured reserve, he was being deemphasized in favor of 2017 draft pick Joe Mixon. Hill's per-carry numbers have declined since his explosive rookie season, and while he remains an explosive back capable of taking any carry the distance, the pounding he has taken as a result of the Bengals' declining fortunes along their offensive line has exacted a toll. (Gary Landers/AP Images)
The 5-foot-6, 181-pound back is coming off of a torn ACL that ended his season after just three games. If Sproles was an every-down back, a return to form would be unlikely, but the situational nature of his work over the course of his career makes him a potential buy-low option whose presence can also improve a locker room. He also remains one of the league's best pass-catching backs; the 34-year-old Sproles caught at least 50 passes on six of his previous seven seasons before his ACL tear. (Charlie Riedel/AP Images)
