Aside from Jonathan Taylor, basically every veteran running back the Miami Dolphins kicked the tires on in 2023 will be available in 2024.
But would any of them be an upgrade over what they already have?
Miami Dolphins To Add Star Running Back?
The news Tuesday that the New York Giants aren’t tagging Saquon Barkley ensured this year’s running back free agent class will be among the best ever, at least in terms of star power.
Barkley joins a group that includes Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, and Austin Ekeler — a collection of running backs that have a combined nine Pro Bowls and 287 career touchdowns in their careers.
And considering the Dolphins inquired about many, if not all of them last year, it would make sense that they would do so again now that the price tag should be significantly lower.
First off, Miami wouldn’t need to surrender any trade compensation this time around. All are free agents, meaning the only cost to add would be whatever salary and bonuses upon which the two sides agree.
But there’s an excellent chance that all five will have to take less money this year than they earned last.
Here are their ages, 2023 salaries and stats, and Spotrac’s 2024 market estimates for all five.
Saquon Barkley | New York Giants
- Age: 27
- 2023 salary: $10.1 million
- 2023 stats: 247 carries for 962 yards and six touchdowns
- 2024 Spotrac market estimate: Three years, $29.9 million ($10 million AAV)
Derrick Henry | Tennessee Titans
- Age: 30
- 2023 salary: $10.5 million
- 2023 stats: 280 carries for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns
- 2024 Spotrac market estimate: One year, $10.3 million ($10.3 million AAV)
Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas Raiders
- Age: 26
- 2023 salary: $11.8 million
- 2023 stats: 233 carries for 805 yards and six touchdowns
- 2024 Spotrac market estimate: Four years, $42.7 million ($10.7 million AAV)
Tony Pollard | Dallas Cowboys
- Age: 26
- 2023 salary: $10.1 million
- 2023 stats: 252 carries for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns
- 2024 Spotrac market estimate: Two years, $13.1 million ($6.5 million AAV)
Austin Ekeler | Los Angeles Chargers
- Age: 28
- 2023 salary: $6.3 million
- 2023 stats: 179 carries for 628 yards and five touchdowns
- 2024 Spotrac market estimate: Three years, $22.4 million ($7.5 million AAV)
Again, all of those projected contracts seem a bit inflated. Even with a salary cap topping $255 million in 2024, we don’t expect teams to start paying aging running backs eight figures annually.
There are just four backs scheduled to earn more than $9 million in 2024: Nick Chubb ($12.2 million), Christian McCaffrey ($12 million), Aaron Jones ($12 million), and Alvin Kamara ($11.8 million).
What’s more, Dolphins GM Chris Grier has shown excellent positional discipline, (wisely) refusing to overpay for the likes of Dalvin Cook in free agency.
But if Barkley or Henry want to come here for a reasonable figure and try to win a Super Bowl, the Dolphins absolutely would listen, particularly since they can cut third-stringer (at best) Jeff Wilson Jr. and save $2.9 million in cap and cash.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Free Agent Rankings
Certainly, such a move wouldn’t be viewed with great enthusiasm by Raheem Mostert — who made the Pro Bowl and set a team record in 2023 and yet is set to earn less than Wilson in 2024. He wants a raise.
But if the Dolphins can figure it all out, a running back room of Barkley or Henry, Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Chris Brooks would likely rank first in the entire league.
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