NFL free agent RBs in 2024: How Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry and more got last laugh with playoff runs

In the modern NFL, where quarterbacks and wide receivers reign supreme, running backs have faded from the spotlight in recent years.

While you can debate the “value” of running backs all day long, the NFL tells us exactly how they view the position based on the contracts they hand out. As of now, the league’s highest-paid running back, Christian McCaffrey ($19 million average annual value), makes less money than Amari Cooper ($20 million AAV), the 21st-highest-paid receiver in the league.

Running backs across the league have clearly taken this to heart and have made it a point to prove their worth this season. These efforts have been spearheaded by the 2024 free agent class, who have made up some of the league’s most productive rushers this season. Four of the league’s top-10 rushers were running backs who found new homes in 2024, and all four are the featured back on playoff teams.

Two of the most marquee signings at running back this offseason, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, are set to square off in the wild-card round as the Eagles will host the Packers on Sunday afternoon. As these two prepare to go head to head this weekend, let’s take a look back at the success of the most recent free agent class.

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NFL free agent RB signings in 2024

Saquon Barkley: Philadelphia Eagles

Down the stretch this season, there were few bigger storylines than Barkley’s quest to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He was benched in Week 18 and fell just short, but it was an impressive season nonetheless.

Barkley lit up the stat sheet in every way possible while playing an invaluable role in the Philadelphia offense, allowing them to salt away games with a suffocating ground game. What’s arguably most impressive is that Barkley, on the ground, has out-gained the Philadelphia passing attack four times this season.

Outside of his overall production, Barkley can rip off a touchdown from almost anywhere on the field, something this offense has never had at its disposal. Barkley has eight touchdowns in his career of at least 65 yards in length, four of which have come this season.

Altogether, it’s been one of the most impressive single-season performances from a running back of all time.

Moving into the playoffs, expect to see more of the same out of Barkley. The Eagles feature a top-tier defense and an elite offensive line, both of which lead to Barkley seeing plenty of work every week. With Barkley consistently threatening to gash a defense for a long touchdown while A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith operate on the outside, the Eagles will pose a major challenge for defenses throughout the postseason.

Josh Jacobs: Green Bay Packers 

Josh Jacobs, meanwhile, is in the midst a stellar season of his own. After struggling throughout the 2023 season, many ridiculed the Packers’ front office for giving him a $48 million contract this offseason. He’s proven the critics wrong and has been among the most productive running backs in the league in his first year with the Packers.

Jacobs has also played an integral role in the offense in some of the more trying times of the season. When Jordan Love was sidelined in Weeks 2 & 3, Jacobs toted the rock 46 times, picking up 194 rushing yards on the way to two wins for Green Bay.

This season marks the second time in Jacobs’ career that he’s seen 300-plus carries. A true workhorse back who can handle 15-20 carries per game while also playing a role as a receiver is something that the Green Bay offense hasn’t featured in quite some time. 

More recently, Jacobs has been a key piece of the Packers’ scoring output. Jacobs has 14 rushing touchdowns in his last 10 games, a stretch where Green Bay has scored 30-plus points six times. While a couple of key games haven’t gone the Packers’ way, Jacobs brings an element to this offense that can allow them to compete with any team in the NFC.

Both Philadelphia and Green Bay have proven to be more than content leaning on their stud running backs this season, ranking No. 32 and No. 31 in overall pass rate, respectively. With the weather expected to be in the 30s in Philly on Sunday afternoon, don’t be surprised if the battle between Barkley and Jacobs is the primary storyline in this wild-card matchup.

MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:

Derrick Henry: Baltimore Ravens

Although overshadowed by Barkley, Derrick Henry is coming off a season worthy of a third career All-Pro nod. Henry eclipsed 1,900 rushing yards for the second time in his career despite being on the “wrong” side of 30.

If there was one way to statistically capture Henry’s greatness this season and what he brings to this Baltimore offense, look at the last row of that table. If you look strictly at his yards after contact, Henry would still have more rushing yards than David Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson and Brian Robinson Jr. on the year.

If there’s an individual play that displays what Henry means to this team, it would be his first carry of the game in Week 4 against the Bills.

DERRICK FREAKIN’ HENRY!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xhYv0apEQu

— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2024

That is a 250-pound, 30-year-old man blowing by defensive backs on his way to a house call. Outside of Henry, there is not a single running back in the NFL that features this combination of size and speed.

With two All-Pro talents in the backfield in Henry and Lamar Jackson, the Ravens are essentially able to do whatever they want on offense. Henry and Lamar both lead their respective positions in yards per carry and command tremendous respect from opposing defenses, opening the door for the passing attack to operate freely.

The Ravens have as potent of an offense as any heading into the 2025 playoffs. If they’re finally going to break through to the Super Bowl with Jackson under center, Henry will be a key piece of their offensive success each and every week.

Aaron Jones: Minnesota Vikings

While he’s not quite Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones has put together yet another strong season after finding a new home back in March. Despite battling injuries throughout the year, Jones played all 17 games and finished the season as the league’s No. 9 leading rusher.

Jones has never been an 80-percent snap share guy who you feed 20 carries per game, although he played that role in spurts this season. Jones is a 1A back who takes the bulk of the work while providing explosive plays and quality production through the air. This is exactly who Jones was this season. He finished the regular season with 408 receiving yards, the seventh-most of any running back.

Not many teams are willing to put their running backs in a situation like this.

#Vikings RB Aaron Jones (bottom of screen) gets clean separation vs #Jets LB Quincy Williams. A better throw and this is a TD. Really great job by Jones to come back to the ball and make the contested catch, don’t see Running Backs do this often pic.twitter.com/p3XOVLdkZ8

— NFL Shock (@NFLShock) October 7, 2024

Justin Jefferson and the passing attack will always be the focal point of this offense. However, with a complementary piece like Jones, the Vikings are able to threaten defenses in a variety of ways, which allows Kevin O’Connell to get creative. When KOC can open up the whole playbook, this offense is a sight to see.

NFL COACHING NEWS:

J.K. Dobbins: Los Angeles Chargers

After tearing his ACL in 2021 and tearing his Achilles in 2023, there was a real chance that J.K. Dobbins would never see the NFL field again. Luckily, the Chargers gave him a one-year “prove it” deal to see what he still had left in the tank.

After winning the starting job in training camp, Dobbins got off to an incredibly hot start this season, rushing for 130-plus yards in each of his first two games in a Chargers uniform. He ultimately slowed down, but still put together an impressive season considering the injuries he was coming back from.

J.K. DOBBINS 46 YARDS!

📺: #LVvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/TAO6tSqpQ1

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Late in the year, Dobbins proved that he is the make-or-break piece in the Los Angeles ground game. You know what they say, “You never know what you have until it’s gone.”

When Dobbins was sidelined from Weeks 13-16, the Chargers knew exactly what they were missing. With Dobbins on IR, the Los Angeles backfield struggled mightily, and the team’s leading rusher cracked 40 yards just once in four games.

Dobbins is healthy for the playoffs, and he’ll need to reclaim his early-season form if the Chargers are going to pull off an upset or two.

NFL DRAFT NEWS:

Austin Ekeler: Washington Commanders

After an illustrious career with the Chargers, Austin Ekeler left the team to sign with the Washington Commanders this offseason. He joined Brian Robinson Jr. in the backfield, making up one of the more versatile RB tandems in the NFL.

This has been Ekeler’s first time playing a complementary role in several years, but he’s made the most of every opportunity he’s received … literally. Ekeler is averaging 6.5 yards per touch this season, the most of any running back.

He’s the perfect partner for Robinson, who isn’t the most talented receiver. When Jayden Daniels opts to check the ball down instead of scrambling, Ekeler has made for a reliable safety blanket who has been productive with the ball in his hands.