[simple simon]

Michael Turner, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Turner will hit the market, likely at the top of the available running backs list. Many teams will be interested in the services of “The Burner.”

Marion Barber, RFA, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas won’t let Barber go anywhere. He’s grown into one of the league’s best at gaining yards after first contact and runs with a mean streak.

Jamal Lewis, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Lewis had a resurgence in Cleveland this season. The Browns are a potential playoff team because of his efforts on the ground, and the talent scattered throughout the roster.

Julius Jones, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
The more that Marion Barber III shows he can be a successful back in the NFL while shouldering a larger load, the more expendable Jones becomes.

Justin Fargas UFA Oakland Raiders
Fargas may still best be known for who his father is, but he’s trying to change that during a season that has seen him carry the ball much more with starter Lamont Jordan hobbled by injuries. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Derrick Ward, RFA, New York Giants
Ward filled in admirably for Brandon Jacobs this season. He was able to run for 80 yards or more during five different efforts this year, including a 154 yard effort against the Bears in week thirteen.

Vernand Morency, RFA, Green Bay Packers
Morency headed into 2007 facing a knee injury, and he didn’t have a chance to play until week four.

Chris Brown, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Brown has battled injuries throughout his young career, and consistency has been a major issue as well, but he started off 2007 in a strong fashion. He ran for 175 yards to open the season and there was hope that he was in for a big year.

Other Free Agent Running Backs
Cedric Cobbs RFA Denver Broncos
T.J. Duckett UFA Detroit Lions
Noah Herron RFA Green Bay Packers
Maurice Hicks UFA San Francisco 49ers
Travis Minor UFA St. Louis Rams
Mewelde Moore UFA Minnesota Vikings
Artose Pinner UFA Minnesota Vikings
Musa Smith UFA Baltimore Ravens
Tyson Thompson RFA Dallas Cowboys
LaBrandon Toefield UFA Jacksonville Jaguars

2008 NFL Free Agent RBs

[Lefty Noob]

The Browns plan on bringing Lewis back. I have to think Dallas can't afford to keep both of their backs, and Michael Turner will probably (finally) go off somewhere else to start. Fargas is the great unknown. This was his best season as a pro. Will he try to cash in on that fact?

[alex83]

im not sure what Micheal Turner's problem is becuase going into free agency last season he had his pick of almost every NFL team in the league, but he got greedy and wanted more money and opted to stay with the Chargers to play and 'arguably' less productive season...but i think he is still good enough to go and start somewhere even though i think he works better in a tandem system with a pound for pound runner

[bears9]

The Bears have to go after Turner and Jones. Because this the need they won't address in the draft.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The Browns plan on bringing Lewis back. I have to think Dallas can't afford to keep both of their backs, and Michael Turner will probably (finally) go off somewhere else to start. Fargas is the great unknown. This was his best season as a pro. Will he try to cash in on that fact?

Looks that way. I think they will let Jones go, and get a servicable back in rounds 4-7...Barber is rthe man, but he is at his best when he is freshed in the 4th quarter and for that you need another back.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by bears9

The Bears have to go after Turner and Jones. Because this the need they won't address in the draft.

I assume you mean one or the other, because there's no way they can afford to bring both in.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I assume you mean one or the other, because there's no way they can afford to bring both in.

Yeah, and they got to save some money for a real QB...

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I assume you mean one or the other, because there's no way they can afford to bring both in.

Ya I mean one or the other.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Marion Barber made the pro bowl this year as a part-time starter, sharing time with Julius Jones! There's no way Dallas lets him go, especially if they go far this post-season! I say the Cowboys make a true effort to keep JJ because they have been really productive with both backs. It sucks for fantasy football but it works out great for Dallas! If they lose JJ, I say Barber doesn't have as productive a season next year because he's going to be in on almost every down and will get beat up!

Of all the other names on this list, I see Jamal Lewis as another impact back that should end up staying in Cleveland. He's not getting younger but when you play outdoors in Cleveland, late in the season, you're going to need someone like Lewis to run in bad weather! in truth, the one free agent I'm more concerned with in Cleveland is not Lewis, it's their QB, Derek Anderson!

Depending on how severe the injury to Kevin Jones' foot is, T.J. Duckett might have found bargaining leverage in Detroit. He may just end up sticking around there a little longer!

Justin Fargas = injury-prone
Derrick Ward = injury-prone
Chris Brown = see Fargas and Ward!

Maurice Hicks is probably better off leaving San Francisco as long as Frank Gore is there. With RB/QB Michael Robinson proving to be a total bruiser at the position, Hicks can be allowed to walk with little repercussion.

I really like Mewelde Moore but now that the beast called Adrian Peterson is in town, Moore is better off finding work elsewhere!

[ThePundit]

I wish the Jets didn't sink all that $ into Thomas Jones. I think Turner is a really good back.