The running back position doesn’t have a ton of superstars available on the free agent market, but there are a few names of interest … including Jamaal Williams. He’s coming off a career season, posting 1,066 rushing yards, a Detroit franchise record and NFL-best 17 rushing touchdowns and a solid 225.9 fantasy points.
Williams would likely be best served staying in Detroit, where he’d continue to see a good workload playing behind the injury-prone D’Andre Swift. In that scenario, he would be in the flex starter conversation in 2023 drafts. If the Lions decide to go in a different direction, however, Williams could be on his way out of the Motor City.
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If that happens, here are five teams with a need at running back that would be good spots for Williams to land next season. Let’s start off with the NFC champions.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could decide to let Miles Sanders, who is coming off a career season, walk as a free agent. That would leave them with a void in their backfield that could be filled by Williams. He could be a much cheaper option than Sanders for a team that is slightly over the salary cap at this point in time. The veteran would likely end up in a committee, but Williams would be on the flex radar in the Eagles offense.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins could have a gaping hole in the backfield, as Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Salvon Ahmed (RFA) and Myles Gaskin are all slated to be free agents. If the team decides to go the free agent route, Williams could be an option. Miami could pair him with either Mostert or Wilson if one of them is retained, but Williams would project as the early-down and goal-line option in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Top Five Fantasy Landing Spots: Aaron Rodgers | Jimmy Garoppolo | Saquon Barkley | Tony Pollard | JuJu Smith-Schuster | Miles Sanders | Derek Carr | Lamar Jackson | David Montgomery | Josh Jacobs
Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary is slated to become a free agent, and James Cook isn’t a true No. 1 back, so what if the Bills decided to go with Williams to be their lead runner in a committee? He would lose red-zone chances to quarterback Josh Allen, but he would also be in a balanced offense where defenses couldn’t key on the run. Williams would remain in the flex starter conversation as a member of the Bills.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers could be in the market for a running back, as D’Onta Foreman is slated to become a free agent. Williams, who played for new Panthers running back coach Duce Staley in Detroit, could form a backfield committee with Chuba Hubbard in an offense that could use more playmakers. Carolina will want to run the football under new head coach Frank Reich, and Williams would be the lead runner.
Chicago Bears
David Montgomery is slated to become a free agent, so the Bears could be in the market for a back to replace him. Williams would have to battle Khalil Herbert to be the starter, but there would be enough touches to go around in what will remain a run-based offense. Williams would be in a likely committee in this sort of scenario, but he could still draw low flex-starter value in some 12-team fantasy leagues.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Click here to read all his articles here on SI Fantasy. You can follow Michael on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for your late-breaking fantasy news and the best analysis in the business to help you win a fantasy championship!
