🎲 Free Agent RB Roulette

Franchise Tracker, too!

Author

Jen of Deep Dive Fantasy
March 06, 2024

Happy Wednesday folks and welcome to this week’s Deep Dive Fantasy Newsletter. The fun part of the NFL offseason is starting to cook and I’m here for it. Today I talk about some free agent RBs and track what went down before the franchise tag deadline.

The RB free-agent class looks eerily similar to last year’s list and it’s starting to heat up as franchise tags are being handed or not handed out. It became clear last season that teams don’t want to back up the armored truck for the position so it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in 2024 with $30 million extra allotted to each NFL team.

Here are my top five free agent RBs and the best landing spots for each from a fantasy football perspective.

Saquon Barkley

After playing on the franchise tag in 2023, Barkley was not tagged again this offseason and is free to explore other employment opportunities. Despite missing three contests, the RB finished as the RB9 in half-PPR scoring per game (14.5) with the third-highest snap rate among rushers. He could benefit from a better supporting cast with plenty of gas left in his tank.

Best fantasy fits for Barkley: 🪺 Ravens, 🐂 Texans, ⚡️ Chargers

Josh Jacobs

Las Vegas declined his fifth-year option two offseasons ago then Jacobs led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,053 and scored 12 total touchdowns in 2022. Last year he was franchise-tagged, then underperformed before getting put on the shelf for the last four contests due to a quad injury, ending as the RB18 in half-PPR points per game. Jacobs performed best with HC Antonio Pierce at the helm and it would make sense for the Raiders to keep him on the roster.

Best fantasy fits for Jacobs: 🏴‍☠️ Raiders, 🐂 Texans, ⚡️ Chargers

Austin Ekeler

Injury and an overall step back for the Chargers’ offense resulted in a down year for Ekeler, who was coming off RB1 and RB2 seasons in half-PPR scoring on a per-game basis in 2022 and 2021, respectively. He is nearing the big 3-0 in age which may be a factor moving forward, but Ekeler will likely want to play for a contender and could still be a fantasy producer in 2024.

Best fantasy fits for Ekeler: 🤠 Cowboys, 🪖 Commanders, 😈 Vikings

Derrick Henry

The fantasy community is down on Henry based on age and his 2023 performance (RB16). However, given the right situation, the King can thrive with a solid offensive line and supporting cast.

Best fantasy fits for Henry: 🪺Ravens, 🤠 Cowboys

D’Andre Swift

In what was perceived as a crowded backfield heading into last season, Swift emerged as the Eagles RB1 and averaged 11.2 half-PPR points per contest in 16 games. He eclipsed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career but fantasy numbers didn’t exactly pop due to his low usage in the pass game. Swift has plenty of tread left on those tires and if he does go to a team without Jalen Hurts and the tush push, could put up solid fantasy numbers for managers in 2024.

Best fantasy fits for Swift: ⚡️ Chargers, 🎖️ Patriots, 🐂 Texans

Honorable Mention: Tony Pollard ( Cowboys, Eagles, Panthers)

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Franchise tag time is over and nine players received various forms of the tag. Here’s a look at who got tagged and who did not.

🏷️ Tagged

Josh Allen, LB (Jaguars) - Jacksonville placed a non-exclusive tag on Allen who will now earn $24 million on the tag in 2024.

Brian Burns, LB (Panthers) - Like Allen, Burns got the non-exclusive tag and will make $24 million in 2024.

Kyle Duggar, S (Patriots) - The Pats used their transition tag on Duggar keeping the safety off the market and giving them a chance to match any offers. Dugger will earn $13.8 million on this in 2024, and he and the Patriots have until July 17 to work out a long-term deal.

Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals) - The Cincy WR got a non-exclusive tag and is now set to earn $21.8 million in 2024.

Jaylon Johnson, DB (Bears) - The Bears slapped its non-exclusive franchise tag on Johnson and he’ll earn $19.8 million in 2024.

Justin Madubuike, DT (Ravens) - The Ravens placed the franchise tag on the star DT after the two sides couldn't agree on a long-term extension ahead of Tuesday's tag deadline. Madubuike will make roughly $22.1 million on the tag in 2024.

Michael Pittman, WR (Colts) - Indy used their non-exclusive tag on their WR1.

L'Jarius Sneed, CB (Chiefs) - KC used their non-exclusive tag on Sneed who is set to earn $19.8 million on the tag.

Antoine Winfield Jr., S (Buccaneers) - It was also a non-exclusive tag for Whitfield who will earn $17.1 million in 2024.

🚫🏷️ Not Tagged

  • Saquon Barkley, RB (Giants)

  • Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers)

  • Xavier McKinney, FS (Giants)

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