Is Investing Big in Running Backs the Secret to NFL Success—or a Costly Gamble?
After the wild rollercoaster that was the 2024 NFL free agency at running back, you’d think every front office would be scrambling to copy the magic formula—but hold up, is that really the play here? Sure, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry showed us all how to flip the script when switching teams, lighting up stat sheets and headlines alike. Yet, just because those stars shone bright doesn’t mean the whole constellation is worth chasing. Some of the 2025 free agents might look tempting—Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, even Nick Chubb—but are they Barkley or Henry, or more like a rerun of familiar struggles?
And here’s the kicker, the draft class coming up? It’s loaded. Deep, arguably deeper than most realize. It’s the kind of class where gems aren’t just found in the first round but scattered throughout, waiting for the right system or coach to unlock their potential. So, are teams better off gambling on rookies fresh out of college or splurging on a free agent with a shiny past but possibly fading future? That question isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about building sustainable roads to success in a league where running backs burn bright and burn out fast. Let’s dig in and unpack whether “The Saquon Effect” is a replicable strategy, or just a flashy highlight reel.
After the success of the free agent running backs in 2024, NFL teams might rethink how they approach the position. But should they?
This past season was the year of the free agent running back.
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