Free-agent running back Kareem Hunt is confident he’ll soon sign with an NFL team. Hunt saw his contract expire with the Cleveland Browns in March with the team not possessing an interest in re-signing Hunt. The Browns are expecting second-year running back Jerome Ford to replace Hunt’s production.

With training camp on the horizon, Hunt remains available via the open market, alongside other veteran backs like Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. Hunt rushed for 468 yards and three touchdowns last season. A dual-threat back, the former Toledo standout added 210 receiving yards to his offensive totals.

Hunt is capable of being an effective member of a rotational backfield. We’ve swiftly identified three potential landing spots for Kareem Hunt and his services.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins have routinely been linked to Cook since his release from the Vikings. However, reports indicate Miami is hesitant to match Cook’s steep asking price. Signing Hunt would represent considerably less financial risk than Cook’s alleged price tag. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier could pivot his pursuit from Cook to Hunt.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel isn’t done adding to his running back room. The roster doesn’t currently have enough in-house talent to improve upon last year’s 26th-ranked 99.2 rushing yards per contest output. Hunt would immediately become Miami’s most proven running back ahead of Raheem Mostert, Devon Achane, and Jeff Wilson Jr.

The aggressive Dolphins are in Super-Bowl-or-bust mode. Grier and McDaniel should leave no stone unturned as they furiously attempt to dethrone the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. Adding Hunt would increase their compete level.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

I’m extremely skeptical that the Vikings have enough at running back following the departure of Cook. Is Alexander Mattison really a starting-caliber running back? Are the inexperienced DeWayne McBride and Ty Chandler ready to contribute?

I don’t blame general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for releasing Cook from his bloated five-year, $63 million contract. Releasing Cook cleared approximately $9 million in cap space. This decision isn’t an indictment on Minnesota’s potential interest in Hunt, who would cost a fraction of Cook’s previously scheduled cap charge.

The 13-win Vikings have arguably experienced the strangest offseason among all NFL franchises. Are they rebuilding or reloading? Agreeing to terms with Hunt could help Minnesota repeat as NFC North division champions.

DALLAS COWBOYS

The Cowboys are another franchise that moved on from their aging and expensive running back this offseason. Like the Vikings, I’m skeptical if they’ve left enough talent behind in their backfield to avoid a dropoff. Is Tony Pollard, who is recovering from a late-season fractured fibula healthy enough to carry the entire workload?

Jerry Jones lacks proven depth options behind Pollard. The Cowboys drafted the undersized 5-foot-5 Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Former second-round bust Ronald Jones II was signed to a one-year contract worth a little more than the veteran minimum that doesn’t even guarantee him a roster spot. Hunt is at least capable of replacing some of the passing-game production left behind following Elliott’s release.