Will the Chiefs land one of the top free-agent running backs today? Money might be an issue, and waiting on the NFL Draft might be a risk this franchise can’t take. So, which free agent running back would be the best fit for the Chiefs?
Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars)
He is a 5’10”, 215-pound running back who spent 4 seasons in the NFL. This year, he played 17 games, had 260 carries for 1,107 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and 7 rushing touchdowns. In his whole career, he played 66 games, 897 carries for 3,798 rushing yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, for 25 rushing touchdowns. Throughout his career, he had 168 receptions for 1,335 receiving yards, averaging 8.0 yards per catch, for 7 touchdowns.
Some of his strengths include elite speed, consistent playmaking, and excellent receiving skills. He is a redzone threat, averaging 8 touchdowns per season, and has excellent ball vision in the run game. Some of the weaknesses are that he struggles with short-yardage inefficiency in the run game, he has some fumbles, and catching issues. I would expect him to sign a 3-year, $42 million deal.
Rico Dowdle (Carolina Panthers)
He is a 5’11”, 215-pound running back who played 5 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys and the Panthers. This year, he played 17 games and had 236 carries for 1,076 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 yards and rushing for 6 touchdowns. In his career, he played 69 games, had 567 carries for 2,540 rushing yards (4.5 per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns. He had 95 receptions for 690 receiving yards, averaging 7.3 yards per catch, and 6 touchdowns.
Some of his strengths are high energy and a strong vision to bridge the gap. Excellent. He has a good history of breaking tackles, is able to get yards after contact, is a type of running back, and dominates in pass and run. Some of the weaknesses include a fumble risk, and his goal line efficiency has been a struggle at times, and further into the season, it seems to go downhill with his play. I would expect him to sign a 3-year deal for $21 million dollars.
Antonio Gibson (New England Patriots)
He is a 6’0”, 226-pound running back who spent 6 seasons in the NFL with the Commanders and the Patriots. This season, he played 5 games after tearing his ACL, but in his career, he played 83 games, with 787 carries for 3,287 rushing yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns. Also, in his pass game, he was good at it; he had 197 receptions for 1,495 receiving yards, averaging 7.6 yards per catch, and 7 touchdowns receiving.
He makes explosive plays in both the run and pass games. He is a big runner who absorbs and dismisses angle tackles. His weakness is coming off an ACL tear, and he takes too long getting in and out of breaks, still learning patience to set up blocks. I would expect him to sign a 2-year, $9 million deal.
Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks)
He is a 5’9”, 211-pound running back who spent 4 seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks. This year, he played 17 games, having 221 carries for 1,027 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, and rushing for 5 touchdowns. In his career, he played 59 games, with 821 carries for 3,555 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 per carry, and 29 rushing touchdowns. He had 133 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards, averaging 7.6 per catch, catching 2 touchdowns.
He is an explosive running back, and he has the second-best athleticism in tackle miss rate. He will help the Chiefs out and put less pressure on Mahomes to carry the offense. One of his weaknesses is inconsistency in his run game; he ranks 18th in rushing success rate among players with at least 200 rushes, and his pass projection is average. I would expect him to sign a 3-year, $45 million deal.
