Free Agent Preview: Running Backs & Wide Receivers

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March 11, 2025

by David Earl

High Priority Position Groups

Washington’s running game was pedestrian at best last season, with Jayden Daniels being the most dynamic option, which is not ideal. The draft will be the best route for this group, but, if they cannot land the rookie they may want, this free agent running back group has some potential. J.K. Dobbins leads this group and offers the most value especially as a 3 down running back. Before his MCL sprain last season, Dobbins was the Chargers’ offense and was very effective. If his medicals check out, this could be the best stop gap option and certainly an upgrade for Washington. Rico Dowdle is an intriguing option here, he has played very well in his first year as a starter behind a weakened offensive line and a backup quarterback most of the season. I think he ultimately ends up resigning with the Dallas Cowboys, but Dowdle is certainly a name to watch.

Chris Godwin leads a receiving group that would fit perfectly with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, but money may keep Washington away. Unless Godwin is willing to do a one-year prove it deal, there is no realistic scenario he signs here, in my opinion. Josh Palmer is a dark horse candidate of this group at 25 years old. While he has never come close to duplicating his second season, the upside is very intriguing. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the name I love on this list as he can bring the same effect as Noah Brown last season but can be more reliable in terms of health. He would provide a great red zone target, the perfect underneath option as McLaurin and Samuels stretch the field, and an excellent run blocker. He makes the most sense of this group, plus bringing back Olamide Zaccheaus and drafting a young wide receiver in the early rounds will give Jayden Daniels a potentially very strong wide receiver group. Now let’s look at the top available free agent running backs and wide receivers that I feel garner the most interest for Washington.

Running Backs

J.K. Dobbins (26 years old), LA Chargers

  • 2024 Season Stats: 905 rushing yards, 4.6ypc, 32 receptions for 153 yards, 9 total TDs
  • Note: He played in 63% of the available 533 snaps, as this past season was one of Dobbins’ healthiest years. He missed 4 weeks due to a sprained MCL but returned the final 2 weeks of the season. While his 2.6ypc average against the Houston Texans was his worst game of the season, the Chargers offense as a whole was terrible, led by Justin Herbert‘s 5 interceptions.

Jaylen Warren (26 years old), Pittsburgh Steelers [RECEIVED TENDER OFFER FROM PITTSBURGH]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 511 rushing yards, 4.3ypc, 38 receptions for 310 yards, 1 total TD
  • Note: Played in 47% of the available 447 offensive snaps and was the Steelers’ primary 3rd down running back. He has a career 4.8ypc average, and the 2023 season was his career best in the passing game with 61 receptions.

Najee Harris (26 years old), Pittsburgh Steelers [SIGNED WITH CHARGERS]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 1,043 rushing yards, 4.0ypc, 36 receptions for 283 yards, 6 total TDs
  • Note: Harris’ 4.0ypc average in his career does not fit the running style as a between the tackles bruising running back. His rookie season yielded 74 receptions, but he has only topped 40 once in his last 3 seasons. Harris proves functional in the passing game but his low yards per carry average doesn’t quite fit a feature running back mold.

Rico Dowdle (26 years old), Dallas Cowboys

  • 2024 Season Stats: 1,079 rushing yards, 4.6ypc, 39 receptions for 249 yards, 5 total TDs
  • Career Prior 2024 Season: Dowdle’s first opportunity as a feature running back was a pleasant surprise considering his scouting report talked about his lack of elusiveness, does not press into the line of scrimmage well, and will have focused drops in the passing game. He was one of the Cowboys’ more productive weapons behind a weakened offensive line, particularly since the team also missed Dak Prescott the majority of the season.

Javonte Williams (24 years old), Denver Broncos [SIGNED BY DALLAS]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 513 rushing yards, 3.7ypc, 52 receptions for 346 yards, 4 total TDs
  • Career Prior 2024 Season: Williams was never quite the same since before his ACL injury, where he averaged a 4.4ypc average. He is a solid pass catcher but a liability in pass protection. Williams’ age will certainly land him another opportunity to compete for a starting role as he does have upside as a feature running back if he can prove to be healthy.

Cam Akers (25 years old), Minnesota Vikings/Houston Texans

  • 2024 Season Stats: 444 rushing yards, 4.3ypc, 14 receptions for 68 yards, 5 total TDs
  • Note: A career 4.0ypc average and 52 total receptions during this time in the NFL are not encouraging numbers. Akers’ age and his draft scouting report do make him an intriguing option to roll the dice on this season. His 4.47 forty time, reception skills, and pass protecting made him one of the top rookie running backs entering the draft. He is surely a long shot but, at a reasonable price, could end up being a gem of a signing this season for a team.

Honorable Mentions

  • Kareem Hunt (30 years old): A veteran who can provide depth and help in the passing game.
  • Nick Chubb (29 years old): Last season was a second consecutive season ended with an injury as he broke his foot in week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs. There is a big risk in health, obviously, but if he can get past these injuries, Chubb still has enough in the tank to be a contributor in a running back by committee.
  • Raheem Mostert (32 years old): Certainly not a feature running back but he can add productive depth in any lineup especially as a veteran leader. He will bring value more so in the passing game at this stage of his career.

Wide Receivers

Chris Godwin (29 years old), Tampa Bay Buccaneers [RE-SIGNED WITH TAMPA]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 50 receptions for 576 yards, 11.5 yards per reception, 5 TDs
  • Note: The top wide receiver in free agency with his 2024 season cut short with a left ankle dislocation. Although nearly 30 years old, Godwin still showed plenty of explosiveness in recent years. breaking 1,000 yards receiving 4 of the last 5 years, he may not be a true number 1 option entering this season but would fit perfectly as a number 2 wide receiver next to a Terry McLaurin.

Keenan Allen (32 years old), Chicago Bears

  • 2024 Season Stats: 70 receptions for 744 yards, 10.6 yards per reception, 7 TDs
  • Note: Topping 100 reception 4 of the last 6 seasons, Allen is a reliable and sure handed option. He will especially fit a key role with a young quarterback in an offense where he is the third option in the passing game. He is still viable enough to step up as a number 2 wide receiver in the event of an injury.

Darius Slayton (29 years old), NY Giants [RE-SIGNED WITH GIANTS]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 39 receptions for 573 yards, 14.7 yards per reception, 2 TDs
  • Note: Slayton seems to be getting much attention this offseason as a deep threat option for many teams. Has never broken the 800 receiving yard mark at any time in his career, battled injuries, but it is his career 15 yards per reception average that will have teams enamored by Slayton. As a third option in a receiving group Slayton certainly holds intriguing value even at 29 years old.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (27 years old), Tennessee Titans [SIGNED WITH MIAMI]

  • 2024 Season Stats: 32 receptions for 497 yards, 15.5 yards per reception, 9 TDs
  • Note: This might be the most intriguing name on this list. Uses his size exceptionally well, very strong route runner with good speed. His biggest attribute is the contested ball, great redzone option and an excellent blocker in the run game. An excellent number 3 wide receiver with the upside to be a low end number 2 wide receiver.

Honorable Mentions

  • Stefon Diggs (31 years old): Coming off a season-ending ACL injury, Diggs is a high risk, high reward player. Will demand targets and would best fit a team with a veteran quarterback and a good running game. Even if his speed doesn’t fully return, his route running and reliable hands still present value for playoff caliber teams looking for depth.
  • DeAndre Hopkins (32 years old): A sure-handed receiver who can still be a viable contested ball receiver and a red zone threat. Can also be a chain mover on short yardage passing downs too. [SIGNED WITH BALTIMORE]
  • Amari Cooper (30 years old): Cooper took a big step back last season, catching 44 passes on 85 targets. His hands and route running keep his value relevant and have upside as a number 2 receiving. Could be a value piece for a team with a young quarterback.
  • Josh Palmer (25 years old): A receiver with great potential averaging 15 yards per reception over the last 2 seasons, Palmer has not come close to his 72 receptions for 769 yards mark in his second season but his age and size will garner attention in free agency. [SIGNED WITH BUFFALO]
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