NFL Movement Series: Running Backs

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJune 12, 2023
© USA TODAY Sports

Our first annual NFL Movement Series continues with the Running Backs, highlighting every move - every team - has made at the position since the beginning of the new league year.

RB1 Movement
9 starting RB1s from the 2022 season are now either available free agents, or on a new team for the 2023 season (Singletary, Montgomery, Elliott, Swift, Cook, Harris, Sanders, Penny, Fournette).

Only 4 running backs (all depth role players) were extended prior to the start of the league year (JaMycal Hasty, Ameer Abdullah, Salvon Ahmed, & Jonathan Williams). The four contracts combine for $1.25M guaranteed.

Five free agent running backs currently project to start for their respective team this season (Miles Sanders, David Montgomery, Alexander Mattison, Raheem Mostert, D'Onta Foreman), while 1 more (Bijan Robinson) will slot in as Atlanta's RB1 as the most recent #8 overall pick this year. The Eagles acquired D'Andre Swift from the Lions to lead their running back room this fall.

Elsewhere, three running backs were offered the $10.091M franchise tag this spring (Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs, & Saquon Barkley). Of them, only Pollard has signed the tag at the time of this piece.

Cap Conversions
Four running backs had their contracts adjusted this spring for cap purposes. Gus Edwards, Alvin Kamara, & Christian McCaffrey all processed simple restructures, while Aaron Jones actually accepted a $5M cash pay cut to remain in Green Bay this season.

The RB Market
For the fourth straight offseason, no running back has been able to eclipse Christian McCaffrey's $16.015M average annual salary. The largest average salary contract signed by a running back in 2023 (franchise tags notwithstanding) went to Miles Sanders at $6.35M per year, nearly $10M less than the top of the market. In terms of guarantee, the 2023 breadwinner was Bijan Robinson's rookie contract, which guarantees him $22M over the next 4 seasons in Atlanta. From a veteran standpoint, Miles Sanders' $13M takes the cake, $25M less than McCaffrey's top figure. 

Free Agency Recap
28 running backs have signed free agent contracts thus far this offseason, combining for $121M of total value, with $54M (45%) of it guaranteed at signing.

Draft Recap
18 running backs were selected in the 2023 draft, including 7 in the Top 90 selections. Of the 23 running backs selected in 2022, 6 are already RB1s for their respective franchises, while at least three others have already proved to be valuable resources.

Related
2023 Free Agent Running Back Signings
2023 Running Back Contract Extensions
Top Running Back Financials

TEAM BY TEAM ANALYSIS

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

  • Converted $2.3M of Gus Edwards’ 2023 salary into signing bonus, clearing $2.8M of cap
  • Signed Justice Hill ($1.25M guaranteed) for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Keaton Mitchell (East Carolina) to compete for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Owen Wright (Monmouth) to compete for a reserve role

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed Damien Harris ($1M guaranteed) for a starting role
  • Signed Latavius Murray ($802,500 guaranteed) to compete for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Jordan Mims (Fresno State) to compete for a reserve role

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed John Kelly to compete for a reserve role
  • Signed Nate McCrary to compete for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Hassan Hall (Georgia Tech) to compete for a reserve role

Dallas Cowboys

  • Assigned starting RB Tony Pollard a $10M franchise tag
  • Released Ezekiel Elliott with a Post 6/1 Designation, clearing $10.9M of cap
  • Signed Ronald Jones II ($302,500 guaranteed) to compete for a starting role
  • Signed Rico Dowdle ($100,000 guaranteed) to compete for a reserve role
  • Drafted Deuce Vaughn (Round 6) to compete for a reserve role 

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed Tyler Goodson to compete for a reserve role
  • Starting RB Aaron Jones accepted a $5M pay cut for 2023, while also converting $8.52M of salary & roster bonus into signing bonus, clearing $11.816M of cap
  • Drafted Lew Nichols III (Round 7) to compete for a reserve role
  • Signed Emanuel Wilson to compete for a reserve role 

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

  • Drafted Evan Hull (Round 5) to compete for a reserve role 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Drafted Zach Evans (Round 6) to compete for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Tiyon Evans (Louisville) to compete for a reserve role

Miami Dolphins

  • Extended Salvon Ahmed ($300,000 guaranteed) to compete for a reserve role
  • Re-signed Jeff Wilson ($2.6M guaranteed) for a starting role
  • Re-signed Raheem Mostert ($2.2M guaranteed) for a starting role
  • Re-signed Myles Gaskin to compete for a reserve role
  • Drafted Devon Achane (Round 3) to compete for a starting role
  • Added UDFA Chris Brooks (BYU) to compete for a reserve role

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed Kennedy Brooks to compete for a reserve role
  • Re-signed Boston Scott ($1M guaranteed)  to compete for a starting role
  • Signed Rashaad Penny ($600,000 guaranteed) to compete for a starting role
  • Acquired D'Andre Swift ($0 guaranteed) from Detroit to compete for a starting role

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

  • Converted $10.72M of Christian McCaffrey’s 2023 salary into signing bonus, clearing $8.576M of cap
  • Added UDFA Ronald Awatt (Texas El-Paso) to compete for a reserve role
  • Added UDFA Khalan Laborn (Marshall)  to compete for a reserve role

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders


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