The 8 Best Remaining Offensive NFL Free Agents

Ryan Mathews, Running Back

Ryan Mathews had an underrated season, according to our metrics, finishing 12th in Rushing NEP (6.60). His Rushing NEP per play was 0.09, which ranked seventh among the 60 running backs with at least 75 carries this year.

His health issues are a concern, of course, and he has played in all 16 games just once in his five-year career (in 2013). In his eight games this year, Mathews managed to be one of the most efficient runners in the NFL.

Teammates Donald Brown and Branden Oliver ranked just 54th and 56th in Rushing NEP, respectively. Brown and Oliver ranked 60th and 53rd out of the 60 back subset, respectively, too. The inefficiency of the other backs puts Mathews' production in perspective.

It's clear that his ceiling is high, but the injury concerns are legitimate.