Running back free agency can make a big impact in dynasty leagues. Below are six starting running backs who are scheduled to be free agents in 2023.
Saquon Barkley is scheduled to play the 2022 season on his fifth-year option and enter the 2023 season as a free agent. Barkley has disappointed after his breakout rookie season. Barkley has been plagued by injuries, including a high ankle sprain and a torn ACL, and poor offensive scheming. Barkley will get a new opportunity with the Brian Daboll offensive scheme and should be able to audition for free agency. Barkley is a high variance player with RB11 cost over the past month. The Giants have no internal candidate to replace Barkley in 2023.
Devin Singletary finished as RB1 in the playoffs and the Bills responded by drafting James Cook in the second round of the NFL Draft. The Cook selection tells the story of how Buffalo feels about Singletary who is limited in the Buffalo offense. Singletary has struggled as a pass catcher in the NFL and operates as an undersized runner between the tackles. He is unlikely to draw a big interest in free agency.
David Montgomery has overperformed his expectation on his rookie deal but is no longer under scholarship as the Ryan Pace/Matt Nagy regime has been replaced by Ryan Poles/Matt Eberflus. Montgomery has the second-most rushing yards in his draft class (2808) behind Josh Jacobs (3087). And the most receiving yards of a running back in the class (924). Khalil Herbert showed well in his rookie season and could see a value increase between free agency and the draft in 2023 if Montgomery signs elsewhere.