2019 NFL Free Agency: Best fits for top running backs available
The 2019 NFL Free Agency crop may not be deeper at any position than running back. What are the top destinations for the top players?
The 2019 NFL free agency crop is loaded with players this year, but the running back position stands out as one that is particularly deep.
Though NFL teams would probably prefer to get their star running backs through the NFL Draft, some teams are equipped financially to add a back through free agency, especially this year where there are so many players who have so much tread left on the tires.
With such a strong group of players available this year, the player movement is going to be fun to track. I want to take a look here at some of the best fits early on for some of these players and why each player might be considered a strong fit for the organizations we’re putting them with.
Let’s start by taking a look at a back who sat out the entire 2018 season and what teams might be the best fit going forward.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Best fits: Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Houston Texans
The thought of a superstar player sitting out a season while fully healthy is just about unheard of in today’s NFL, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Le’Veon Bell were like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object after he was given the franchise tag in the 2018 offseason.
The Steelers didn’t budge and neither did Bell, resulting in one of the league’s best players missing an entire season and giving up $14.5 million in guaranteed cash.
Bell is betting on himself, and having a year to watch things unfold in the NFL, one of the league’s best dual-threat backs is poised to cash in through free agency and make another team that much better.
The top two fits in my mind are the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, but the New York Jets could offer Bell a ton of cash.
Bell has previously stated that $60 million is not enough to ‘run with the Jets’ but perhaps they would offer him more than that.
The Houston Texans would have to clear Lamar Miller off the books but can you imagine a backfield of he and DeShaun Watson with DeAndre Hopkins at receiver?
That is an idea I’m sure the Texans, their fans, and Bell would all get behind. The question there will be about money and if the Texans want to invest in Bell rather than their offensive line or the number of defensive free agents they have.
They could probably afford all of it, come to think of it, with just under $60 million in estimated space before making any roster cuts.
The Indianapolis Colts lead the league with $100 million in cap space and will undoubtedly be connected to just about every free agent available. How does a team with a big money quarterback get $100 million in cap space, anyway?
If I were Bell, I would be looking to join the Colts. Their offensive line was the most improved unit in the league this past year, Andrew Luck played at an MVP level, and though the Colts got production out of a variety of backs, Bell would give them a superstar at the position to go along with Luck, Eric Ebron, and T.Y. Hilton in the passing game.