2023 NFL Free Agency: Predicting where top 10 running backs land

6. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns

In a year’s time, maybe less, we could look back on this list and regret having Kareem Hunt so high on it. Is it possible that Hunt is merely the sixth biggest name among 2023 NFL Free Agent running backs? Very much so, yes.

Hunt was trying to demand his way out of Cleveland last year in a trade to prove that he could still be someone’s lead back before hitting free agency in 2023, but the Browns did not oblige. Instead, Hunt had one of the worst seasons, at least statistically, that we’ve ever seen from him. His average yards per carry were down to 3.8, the lowest of his career. He wasn’t breaking tackles at as high of a rate.

Hunt simply wasn’t as effective on a per-touch basis as we’re used to seeing from him. It’s very possible that his best days are well behind him at this point, but I think it’s worth a shot to sign him to a short-term deal and perhaps see if he can bounce back for a couple of seasons.

Hunt has always been known for a couple of things:

• He doesn’t need to come off the field
• He’s one of the best at creating yardage after contact in the NFL.

Those two things have really defined Kareem Hunt throughout his professional career, at least on the field. Now, when it comes to off-field, that’s another aspect of Hunt’s free agency that certainly complicates matters. Teams will be leery of signing Hunt, potentially, and that’s understandable.

I feel like we’ll see him have plenty of suitors although it might take a little bit of time for his free agency to really materialize.

Prediction: Signs with Buffalo Bills