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This off-season, free agency was crazy for the running back position. Three of the most popular running backs in fantasy football signed with a new team. While it will certainly be weird to see them in different colors, let’s talk about the new scenery for these three and what it means for their fantasy output. 

Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)

Remember when I said it would be weird seeing these guys in different colors? This especially applies to Saquon Barkley. Barkley devastated the New York Giants and signed with the division rival Eagles on a three-year, 37-million-dollar contract. Last season, Barkley finished inside the top 15 at the running back position (even while missing four weeks of the season). This wasn’t a bad season for Barkley. However, we are all aware he can finish much higher than he did in 2022 when he was at number six. 

Barkley really could not have joined a better place for the position. In the last five seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles have had a running back inside the top 25 at the position all but one year. There will be some concern with the rushing upside of Quarterback Jalen Hurts. After all, Hurts rushed 157 times (most for quarterbacks) for 605 yards (second most among quarterbacks) and 15 touchdowns (tied for most among quarterbacks).

I do expect Barkley to take a hit in the touchdown category, but he should get plenty of volume, as the Eagles were ranked seventh in rush attempts. Even with Hurts’s rushing tendencies, I expect it to be no different for Barkley this season. I predict Barkley will finish anywhere between 10 and 20 in the position. 

Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens)

If you have drafted Derrick Henry in the last five seasons of fantasy, you’re usually always happy. In the last five years, Henry has finished top five in all but one season, where he missed most of the 2021 season with an injury. Henry’s best season was back in 2020 when he was the number one running back in fantasy. 

This past off-season, Henry decided it was time to leave the Tennessee Titans and change the environment. The Baltimore Ravens signed Henry to a two-year, 16 million-dollar deal. I can understand why some may love this spot for Henry; after all, the Ravens ran the ball more than any other team last year. However, the Ravens are one of those teams in the NFL who do not believe in the “bell cow.” A bell cow, in simple terms, is just a running back who gets the bulk of the carries. 

In 2023, the Ravens had four guys consistently getting carries. Those guys are Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, and, of course, Quarterback Lamar Jackson. Henry is a big volume guy; he led the league in carries at 280 just last season. The only player who is leaving is Edwards; the rest of the other three are still on the roster. 

Another big reason I’m not so optimistic for Henry this season is also his age. Henry is 30 years old, and going into his ninth season; there is a lot of wear on those tires. According to a statistical study done by APEX, 91% of running backs have their peak season between the ages of 21 and 28 years old. Henry is two years outside of that threshold and really did not look like himself last season despite the top-five finish. 

Last season, Henry had five games with under five fantasy points; in three of those, he even had less than three points. With the shared backfield and age, I’m passing on Derrick Henry in fantasy this year. 

Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders)

The most painful part of football is the short primes of some of our favorite running backs. Back in 2021 and 2022, Austin Ekeler was one of the most promising backs in fantasy football. Finishing number two in 2021 and number four in 2022, Ekeler quickly became a fantasy favorite. 

Then it was gone, just like that. In 2023, he finished all the way at 31. In 2023, Ekeler had one game over 20 points. It was the very first game of the season, and he never really got close again. In both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Ekeler had four games over 20 points (for a total of 8) and had one 30-plus fantasy point performance in each of those seasons. 

Now Ekeler is going to a team that was dead last in rushing attempts and finished in the back half of the league in both total rushing yards and total rushing touchdowns. As someone who had Ekeler in fantasy in 2021, it pains me to say he is out of his prime and should not be drafted this season with the Washington Commanders.