Ideal Landing Spots in Free Agency: Running Backs

Tyler Loechner

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The 2022 NFL free agency period is around the corner, which means we’ll get to see plenty of familiar faces land in new places.

The fantasy fallout is always a mystery. Some landing spots will be great, some will be terrible. When a player leaves one team and lands on another, it also open up opportunity on the team they left and closes some on their new team.

Let’s take a look at some of the top free agent RBs in 2022 and pick out their ideal fantasy landing spots.

Cordarrelle Patterson (Age at Week 1: 31)

Ideal spot: Atlanta Falcons

It’d be nice to see Cordarrelle Patterson remain in Atlanta, the first place in his 10-year career he’s actually been utilized properly and in a fantasy-friendly way. Patterson would also be a lock for another big role in the offense at least for 2022 with Calvin Ridley suspended for the entire year.

Melvin Gordon (29)

Ideal spot: Philadelphia Eagles

Nobody wanted to admit it last year, but Melvin Gordon was still good. Good enough, at least, to fully split the Broncos backfield with fantasy darling Javonte Williams. The Broncos may want Gordon back, but the ideal spot for him — for fantasy purposes — would be to get away from Denver to unlock Williams and land somewhere else he can be in a strong committee. Gordon’s days of a full-time workload are over, but in Philadelphia, he’d land in a system that uses multiple RBs, all of which are viable at various points throughout the season. It seems like the best possible fit for a committee back like Gordon.

Leonard Fournette (27)

Ideal spot: Arizona Cardinals

Both James Conner and Chase Edmonds are free agents in Arizona, opening up the possibility that the Cardinals’ two-headed backfield could be taken over by a three-down workhorse like Leonard Fournette, as Daniel Kelley highlighted in his fantasy wish list piece. Yes, he could and would have a big role if he stayed in Tampa, but with Tom Brady gone, it’s much less attractive for fantasy. In Arizona, Fournette could push for the league lead in TDs while getting good work through the air, too.

Rashaad Penny (26)

Ideal spot: Seattle Seahawks

Rashaad Penny being amazing in fantasy football was on absolutely nobody’s 2021 bingo card, and there’s no reason to hope he moves on from Seattle in 2022. The Seahawks have a need at RB, and Penny fits the bill perfectly. He should stay.

Sony Michel (27)

Ideal spot: Houston Texans

Sony Michel looked better than ever in his stint with the Rams in 2021, but he was still third wheel in a three-headed backfield and may be best served in a committee role. However, he did do enough to show he could be the lead of a committee. Michel would immediately be Houston’s best early-down and goal-line back.

Ronald Jones (25)

Ideal spot: Miami Dolphins

#FreeRoJo? Ronald Jones would be an upgrade over every Dolphins RB and would have a chance for a featured role if he were to land in a situation like this. Whether he really deserves a featured role is another story, but he’s flashed enough in his career to make it tempting for fantasy purposes.

James Conner (27)

Ideal spot: Atlanta Falcons

James Conner can be a valued fantasy asset in two ways: He can be a goal-line vulture (18 TDs in 2022) or a three-down back. He showed it in Pittsburgh, and then he showed it again in Arizona in 2021 when assuming a larger role while Chase Edmonds dealt with an injury. Put him on the Falcons where he’ll be a great 1-2 punch with Cordarrelle Patterson (if Patterson returns) and retain his TD equity while also unlocking Patterson more as a receiver.

Chase Edmonds (26)

Ideal spot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chase Edmonds can put up big numbers as a full-time RB in spot starts, but when looking at the season as a whole, he’s still best utilized as a pass-catching specialist. Assuming Tampa loses at least one of Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, there should be a sizable role in Tampa for a player like Edmonds. Also, assuming Tampa is losing a lot more often in 2022, the pass-catching work should really shine through.

James White (30)

Ideal spot: New England Patriots

James White missed most of 2021 with an injury, but he still seems ideally suited to be their primary pass-catching specialist with Mac Jones still growing under center.

Raheem Mostert (30)

Ideal spot: San Francisco 49ers

Raheem Mostert is a hard one to find an “ideal” spot for outside of San Francisco, where he has thrived in their run system.

J.D. McKissic (29)