The NFL’s franchise tag window officially opened on Tuesday, February 17 at 4 p.m. ET. Teams now have until the March 3rd deadline to place the franchise or transition tags on players set to become free agents when the new league year begins on March 11.

Teams hoping to upgrade their running game are in luck, with multiple starting caliber running backs set to become free agents.

We here at A to Z Sports decided to rank our top-100 free agents for the 2026 offseason and we’re releasing individual positional rankings ahead of the top-100 reveal. Quarterbacks and wide receivers were the first out of the gate, and now it’s the running backs time to shine.

Below are the writers who not only ranked the players, but also offered up insights and analysis on why the players are ranked where they are:

• Destin Adams, A to Z Sports Indianapolis 
• Evan Winter, A to Z Sports Tampa Bay
• Kyle Crabbs, A to Z Sports Miami
• Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Minnesota 
• Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh 
• AJ Schulte, A to Z Sports Los Angeles 
• Charles Goldman, A to Z Sports Kansas City

Who are the top running backs entering free agency?

1. Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

Kenneth Walker was absolutely sensational in the Super Bowl, but also throughout the entire postseason. His performances should be the proof to the rest of the NFL that he is capable of handling a full workload. Walker does it all as a rusher and receiver, and his production would skyrocket once he becomes a full-time lead back somewhere not in Seattle. 

Walker would be a natural fit in an outside zone offense, but he can fit into any scheme across the league. – AJ Schulte

Three best fits: Chiefs, Panthers, Jets

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 7

2. Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne

Travis Etienne doesn’t get talked about like one of the best RBs in the league, but when you look at his numbers since being drafted by the Jaguars, you see how impressive he has been. For example, he’s crossed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four seasons and has two years of 10 or more total touchdowns, as well. 

He now has the chance to cash in after a 2025 season that featured a career-high 13 total touchdowns. Etienne is a dual-threat back who has game-changing potential for whichever team he lands with. I’m sure the Jaguars will do everything in their power to keep him in Duvall. – Destin Adams

Three best fits: Jaguars, Titans, Chiefs

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 13

3. New York Jets RB Breece Hall

Breece Hall was the subject of a lot of 2025 NFL trade deadline speculation — but he never got a deal. Instead, Hall finished his fourth season in New York and broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time in his career. On the surface, it feels like the perfect storm for a payday. 

Hall turns 25 in May, is in the prime of his career, just had his most productive season, and is an offensive weapon in the passing game, too. What’s not to like? Running backs don’t typically get big deals on the open market, but Hall feels like a fresh new litmus test of that approach by teams. – Rob Gregson

Three best fits: Chiefs, Texans, Cowboys

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 15

4. Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams

Javonte Williams signed a prove-it deal in Dallas after his rookie deal expired in Denver, and boy did he prove it in 2025. Showing his health and durability after starting the most games of his career, Williams totaled over 1,300 yards and 13 total touchdowns from scrimmage last season

His injury history will be a caveat to the money he receives on the open market, but he will only be 26 years old when the season rolls around in the fall. A two- or three-year deal along the median of the market for a player with the dual threat ability and explosion of Williams feels appropriate. – Rob Gregson

Three best fits: Cardinals, Bengals, Jets

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 30

Update: Javonte Williams signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the Cowboys on February 21. The deal includes $16 million in guaranteed money.

5. Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle

An oft-forgotten name, Rico Dowdle has very quietly been one of the most efficient rushers in the NFL down to down. However, he was rather boom-or-bust in Carolina, seemingly depending on the matchup, breaking 206 and 183 yards in back-to-back weeks in Weeks 5 and 6 and only crossing 100 once afterwards. 

Dowdle would likely be at his best as part of a running back rotation rather than the lead bellcow, but he’s proven he can still handle a heavy dosage of work. – AJ Schulte

Three best fits: Jaguars, Jets, Cardinals

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 38

6. Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier

Tyler Allgeier is one of the most intriguing free-agent running backs set to hit the market. He has been a very effective player for the Falcons, but has been splitting time with Bijan Robinson. Even as the second fiddle to Robinson, he finished with eight touchdowns in 2025. 

Now, as a free agent, Allgeier has the opportunity to land a starting job around the league. If a team is looking for the best value signing for their starting RB going forward, I think Allgeier is their guy. He looks poised to take a big step forward as a player, and it’ll be exciting to see how high his ceiling is as a full-time starter. – Destin Adams

Three best fits: Texans, Buccaneers, Cardinals

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 78

7. Denver Broncos RB JK Dobbins

Dobbins was cruising toward the best year of his career before a Lisfranc injury ended his season in Week 10. He’s a perfect fit for Sean Payton’s run game and it showed.

It’s literally injuries holding Dobbins back from being labeled as a premiere running back in free agency. But when healthy, he can really impact a rushing attack with his strength, speed, and vision. It’d be a major risk, and frankly stupid, to trust him as the No. 1 option for anyone’s ground game, but he’s an excellent rotational piece that would force defenses to always respect who’s behind the quarterback.

Plus, it’s all about management load with Dobbins at this point in his career and sharing carries helps in that regard. – Evan Winter

Three best fits: Broncos, Falcons, Saints

A to Z Sports’ top-100 rank: 92

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