NFL training camps are opening across the league this week, but former Browns running back Kareem Hunt remains unsigned. Given that stagnant market for running backs this offseason, however, that isn't terribly surprising.
Someone will likely sign Hunt sooner or later, though. The former rushing leader is only 27 years old and played in every game last year, so he doesn't come with any injury or durability issues.
He may not be a lead back anymore, but he still profiles as a solid RB2 after racking up 678 scrimmage yards and 4 total touchdowns last year. In fact, his per-17 game averages through his entire time in Cleveland were 650 rushing yards, 338 receiving yards and 8 combined touchdowns.
He remainder underrated since he was playing second fiddle to Nick Chubb most of the time, but nobody is gonna scoff at that kind of production.
So where will Hunt end up? Here are three of his most likely free agent destinations.
Kareem Hunt Free Agent Destinations
1. New England Patriots
After missing out on DeAndre Hopkins, the Patriots are reportedly now in the market for a running back. They've been linked to Dalvin Cook and Leonard Fournette during the past week, suggesting that Bill Belichick is looking to add a veteran RB to his backfield.
Hunt would actually be a perfect fit for New England, which already has an RB1 in Rhamondre Stevenson. Hunt could slide into the RB2 role behind him and help keep Stevenson fresh. He could also be a good safety valve option for Mac Jones, who seems better suited for shorter passes after struggling on throws downfield last year.
With second-year players Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris currently backing up Stevenson, Belichick clearly wants a more proven RB to rotate with Stevenson. The Patriots' offense will need to be run-heavy without Hopkins, and Hunt would be a nice complement to Stevenson as he was to Chubb to Cleveland.
Next up, an NFC contender that Hunt could help push over the edge.
2. Dallas Cowboys
With Ezekiel Elliott out of the picture, the Cowboys could use an RB2 to pair with Tony Pollard. As good as Pollard is, last year was his first time topping 1,000 rushing yards and he's not really a true bell cow.
While Elliott was too expensive and didn't fit in the Dallas offense anymore as a traditional running back, Hunt's pass-catching ability would make him a more potent weapon for Dak Prescott out of the backfield.
Prescott may be tempted to look for shorter, safer throws this year after leading the NFL in interceptions last season, and potentially playing without Zach Martin (who is threatening to hold out without a new contract) in front of him would make things even worse.
In the three seasons Hunt and Baker Mayfield were both in Cleveland, Baker actually had a 93.0 passer rating in the 32 games he played with Hunt in the lineup, compared to just a 70.0 rating in 14 games that Hunt missed. We can't attribute that entire different to Hunt obviously, but it's clear that he has a serious impact on the passing game.
Jerry Jones loves stars, too, and Hunt is still a fairly big one, if it's been a quiet free agency for him so far. The former Pro Bowler is still well-known by fans across the league and would qualify as a splash.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are entrusting their backfield to Alexander Mattison after releasing Cook, but are the really comfortable with that? Mattison has never started five games or rushed for more than 500 yards in a season, so he may not be up to the task.
Hunt would be a nice insurance policy for Minnesota and help take some of the pressure off Mattison. His presence would still enable Mattison to take on a larger workload while keeping him fresh and preventing him from taking on too much.
Mattison wasn't much of a factor in the passing game last year, either, finishing with just 15 catches on 18 targets for 91 yards. Hunt could take over that role and serve as an outlet for Kirk Cousins, who still sometimes panics under pressure. He would also allow Mattison to focus on running between the tackles rather than trying to do it all.
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