Ranking each RB move from day one of NFL free agency

Several running backs have found new homes in free agency as suddenly, the position has seen a boom after several years of quiet moves in the offseason. The free-agent market at running back was the best it has been in years, however, so each of these moves is intriguing.

Several running backs have yet to agree to deals with a new team, including Derrick Henry and J.K. Dobbins while others are suddenly looking for a new team such as Aaron Jones, who was released on Monday.

Looking at things from a fantasy football perspective, here are how the top six moves rank, in descending order.

6. Devin Singletary, New York Giants

The Giants had to make up for losing perhaps the best running back in franchise history and turned to one of the smaller names on the market, Devin Singletary.

Singletary has never tipped the scales in the running back rankings but he has always been consistent in four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and one year with the Houston Texans. In addition, he is coming off one of his best seasons in the league and in New York, could stand to get a lot of work as the depth chart is not deep behind him.

That could have helped sway Singletary to sign with the Giants are Gary Brightwell, Eric Gray, Jashaun Corbin and Deon Jackson. All of these guys are fringe roster guys or rotational backs at best.

Singletary has shared the backfield with the likes of Zack Moss, James Cook and Dameon Pierce. He could get the most work of his career thus far in the Big Apple.

5. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

The Titans signing Tony Pollard was a bit of a head-scratcher for me. The Titans are moving on from Derrick Henry and replacing him with Pollard, which is a move that probably doesn't make sense for most. It shouldn't.

It makes sense for Pollard, who played at Memphis in college and now has a chance to return home. But the Titans still have Tyjae Spears entering year two and he should arguably be the team's RB1. Now there will likely be some sort of timeshare, and Pollard was at his best in that role with Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas, but this spot doesn't have that same feel.

This deal was announced quickly, signifying that it was one that the Titans were quite eager to make, but it's hard to see it as a good fit right now.

4. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

This was the first deal of the day to get announced as D'Andre Swift has agreed to a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears. It seems like a move that could be a major hit or a huge miss.

Swift was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles from the Detroit Lions last offseason and that move turned him from a mediocre running back (much as fantasy players never wanted to admit that) into one that rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season, easily the best of his career.

Swift should have plenty of opportunities in Chicago, where the Bears also hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are still on the roster and both of those guys are players that fantasy managers have been waiting to see breakouts from, but their value likely takes a hit with the addition of Swift, who should be one of the focal points on the offense next season.

3. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders

Austin Ekeler is going to be leaving the Los Angeles Chargers after a terrific run there. He has signed with a team that no one really predicted for him and one that is not known for having big games out of running backs.

Ekeler has agreed to a two-year deal worth a little over $11 million with the Washington Commanders. I may catch some heat for having him so high on this list, but I still see him as a PPR machine. In addition, the Commanders don't have a deep backfield, especially after losing Antonio Gibson to the New England Patriots in free agency.

That move would be No. 8 on this list, by the way, while Gus Edwards joining Ekeler's former team in Los Angeles would come in at No. 7.

Ekeler will only have to compete with Brian Robinson and Chris Rodriguez for reps. He should see a good amount of touches and be able to be a huge weapon for the team out of the backfield, especially for a team that will likely take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

Ekeler still has something left in the tank, despite how many detractors he has that seem to multiply by the day.

2. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

This is a fantastic fit and if you have Josh Jacobs on your dynasty roster, you scored big time.

The Packers are building an offensive monster and Josh Jacobs is an excellent addition to this squad. The move was made even better for those who roster Jacobs when the Packers decided to release Aaron Jones. In addition to A.J. Dillon being a free agent, that leaves this backfield very empty.

Patrick Taylor, Emanuel Wilson and Ellis Merriweather comprise the rest of this running back roster, meaning Jacobs is going to be an absolute bellcow for the Pack.

And Jacobs was no slouch with the Las Vegas Raiders.

He did have the lowest rushing total of his career this past season after leading the entire league in rushing in 2022, but he is only 26 years old and joins a team heading in the right direction. Jacobs should be one of the top 5 RBs off the board in redraft leagues this year and in dynasty, what was already a good value is now an excellent value.

1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

This is an easy choice for number one as this may have been the best move made in free agency on day one at any position.

It has to be difficult for the New York Giants to lose Saquon Barkley but also to lose him to a division rival. However, it might be the most perfect spot in the league for a running back of Barkley's ability.

When healthy, Barkley is still the No. 1 or No. 2 RB in football in my mind and in Philly, he can be an absolute beast.

The Eagles have one of the league's best rushing attacks and that has led to recent success for Swift and even quarterback Jalen Hurts. The team did lose its center, Jason Kelce, to retirement, so that could change things a bit, but Barkley will be fed the ball in his new home.

Kenneth Gainwell, Lew Nichols and Tyrion Davis-Price are the only other running backs currently under contract for the Eagles. You can expect more to be added to that depth chart, but Barkley is going to be a game-changer for this team and for your fantasy lineups.

Barkley was a top-end running back on a bad Giants team. He could be the No. 1 running back in fantasy football now and yes, that includes Christian McCaffrey.