2022 NFL Free Agent Running Backs: Melvin Gordon, Leonard Fournette, and Chase Edmonds are top options

The 2022 NFL running back free agent class contains some intriguing options for teams looking to add a veteran to their backfield. What sort of price will Leonard Fournette and Melvin Gordon command on the open market? Additionally, will the Cardinals keep James Conner or Chase Edmonds around for 2022? And how will teams view Cordarrelle Patterson in his dual RB/WR role?

To see the top players available at all positions, be sure to check out PFN’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings.

NFL free agent running backs available in 2022

The top five options at the position this offseason provide some intriguing opportunities. Will we see a number of these players paid well? Or will the devaluation of the position — combined with a somewhat plentiful market — lead to prices being decreased for the top running backs?

Market value is according to Spotrac as of February 18, 2022.

Leonard Fournette

Age: 27
Previous team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Market value: $6.1 million

Top team fits

• Atlanta Falcons
• Miami Dolphins
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury history

Dating back to 2016, Fournette has missed 22 games due to injury. Lower body injuries have been the main concern, including four absences due to ankle injuries. He has also missed 10 games in his career due to hamstring issues, plus one game each to a foot injury, a knee bruise, and a neck strain.

Melvin Gordon

Age: 28
Previous team: Denver Broncos
Market value: $5.2 million

Top team fits

• Arizona Cardinals
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Miami Dolphins
• New Orleans Saints

Injury history

Gordon has missed nine games in his career due to injury but has not missed a single game because of a health issue in the past three seasons. During the 2021 campaign, Gordon had injuries reported to his groin, ribs, shin, and hip. However, he did not miss any time based on those ailments. Earlier in his career, knee and hamstring concerns cost him games, but those issues have not seemed to affect him in recent years.

Chase Edmonds

Age: 25
Previous team: Arizona Cardinals
Market value: $5.2 million

Top team fits

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Miami Dolphins

Injury history

The 2021 season was tough for Edmonds on the injury front. He was placed on the injured reserve with a high ankle sprain and also dealt with rib, back, shoulder, and toe injuries. He’s also dealt with hamstring issues both in the NFL and in college.

Cordarrelle Patterson

Age: 30
Previous team: Atlanta Falcons
Market value: $9.1 million

Top team fits

• Chicago Bears
• Indianapolis Colts
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Miami Dolphins
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Injury history

Over the last two seasons, Patterson has missed just one game due to injury. That absence came on a short week when he was sidelined for Thursday Night Football with an ankle sprain. He has been durable throughout his career, missing just two games in total.

Yet, this was the first season of Patterson’s career that he posted more than 100 touches. The relative lack of hits on his body due to having just 588 touches in nine years makes him less of a risk than your average 30-year-old NFL player.

James Conner

Age: 26
Previous team: Arizona Cardinals
Market value: $5.9 million

Top team fits

• Arizona Cardinals
• Atlanta Falcons
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Miami Dolphins
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury history

The workload seemed to catch up with Conner in the last six weeks of the 2021 season. The Cardinals RB missed two games due to a heel bruise but also had ankle and rib injuries down the stretch. He has yet to play a full season during his career but has so far managed to avoid any major injuries.

2022 free agent running backs