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Tennessee Titans offseason prep: Free agent RBs

By Will Lomas

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the New York Jets during their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Frank Gore #21 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the New York Jets during their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Cheaper question marks

This position is so deep in free agency just by nature of the turnover at RB in the NFL. So, I thought it made sense to start out with some potentially cheaper options.

These are players that could fit specific roles, but probably aren’t players you want in for more than 10 snaps per game or so and they definitely can’t be a co-lead back if that is what you are looking for.

Frank Gore sticks out like a sore thumb in the group of free agent running backs. In the past, Jon Robinson has brought in guys with big name value later in their career to add some leadership and to squeeze the remaining greatness out of them.

For some it worked, DeMarco Murray and Wesley Woodyard stick out as big wins for guys later in their careers. For others, it was a bust Andre Johnson and Eric Decker stick out as players that just didn’t quite live up to the expectation.

In the last 14 seasons there have only been two years where Gore has had less than 200 rushes, his rookie year and the past season. Don’t take that as a slight however, Gore was effective when running the ball as evidenced by his 4.6 YPC.

If the Tennessee Titans can bring him in on a veteran minimum deal I could see all parties being happy with the decision.

More from Titans Free Agency

Don’t look now, but Doug Martin quietly had his most successful season since 2015 and he did it with only 190 touches. Is he anything special? No, probably not and the days of the “muscle hamster” are over. However, he was a solid enough receiver out of the backfield and he averaged 4.2 YPC.

While he isn’t as flashy or as exciting as the other names on this list, he is a player who doesn’t tip the play call when he walks on the field and he should be available for a low price.

The final name worth mentioning here is Latavius Murray. Despite having an offensive coordinator criticized for not running the ball enough, Murray had his best season rushing the ball since his breakout season with the Oakland Raiders in 2014 (at least when you look at his average).

Murray shined as a compliment to Dalvin Cook and finished with tied for 20th in the league with 6th rushing TDs along with names like Zeke Elliot, Mark Ingram and Sony Michel.

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