With a Weak FA Class at RB, Benson Could be Gone After 2008

by Kirkendall on Oct 24, 2008 6:43 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 3 comments

Benson is signed through the rest of this year, earning $520,000 in base pay; basically chump-change on the NFL scale for feature running backs. Right now, he's in the midst of a I-can-be-an-effective-contributor campaign, trying to garner interest out on the free agency market. As per Football Futures, the biggest named free agent at running back will be Brandon Jacobs -- who will be unrestricted and likely cashing in. After that, you have a collection of aging backup running backs.

If Cedric Benson performs well closing out the remaining nine games this season, then he could very well be a hot commodity at running back in a very weak free agency class at the position. With each successful game he records, his price goes up based on the weak supply and the always high demand at the spot. And do you really expect the Bengals to offer Benson a sizable contract?

Unrestricted Free Agents in 2009 at RB

Brandon Jacobs
J.J. Arrington
Correll Buckhalter
Jesse Chatman
Heath Evans
Ryan Moats
Maurice Morris
Darren Sproles
Aaron Stecker
Ricky Williams

[Footballs Future]

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I don't know if the Bengals would go after a free agent...

…but that is not a half bad bunch. I could see the Bengals picking up a journeyman running back if we can’t resign Benson. Jesse Chatman is pretty good and probably could be singed relatively cheaply considering he has missed a number of games this season and is playing behind Thomas Jones. He’s a bit old, but Aaron Stecker could be a good pickup. He can catch and would make a good change of pace back.

by goffchile on Oct 24, 2008 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

With the exception of maybe Sproles, none of those backs would be any help whatsoever.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Oct 25, 2008 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Moats

He’s technically available right now b/c he’s only on the practice squad. I think he would have been a free agent before he was cut by the Eagles prior to the season.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Nov 4, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs