Though the 2016 New York Jets running backs didn’t set any records it was far better than their crosstown rivals the New York Giants. The Jets rushed for over 1,800 yards and ten touchdowns as a team in 2016. While their ground game wasn’t the reason for the Jets forgettable season, it was nothing to write home about. Gang Green’s attack was lead by two different running backs, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, who will both be returning in 2017.
New York Jets Running Backs Preview
Matt Forte
Forte’s first year in the Big Apple didn’t live up to the hype. He recorded his lowest rushing and receiving yards total since entering the league with the Chicago Bears in 2008. However, on only 218 touches he was still able to reach the end zone eight times.
Forte had a problem with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s style of offense in 2016. Though Forte doesn’t mind splitting carries, he was unhappy with the fact that Gailey would take him out of the offense on third downs. Two years removed from catching 102 passes, Forte saw his receptions dip to a mere 30, his worst since entering the league.
The 31-year-old missed the last two games of the 2016 season with a knee and shoulder injury. With a full offseason to recover, Forte should be at 100 percent by training camp. While the Jets quarterback situation is as murky as ever, Todd Bowles and company will have to lean on Forte more now than ever before.
Bilal Powell
Bilal Powell is one of the Jets most versatile players and can be a playmaker when given opportunities. Powell has averaged four or more yards per carry every year since 2012 and had his best season in 2016. He averaged five and a half yards per carry and scored three touchdowns on 131 attempts.
Powell also saw his best season as a receiver out of the backfield in 2016. He caught 58 passes for 388 yards with two touchdowns. Powell’s receptions increased due to Gailey using him on third down.
After not recording double-digit rushing attempts through the first 12 games, Powell made the most of his opportunity when Forte was out with an injury. The former fourth-round pick recorded 82 rushing attempts during the final four games of the season for over 400 yards. Most memorable was his overtime touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
Elijah McGuire
The Jets sixth-round pick Elijah McGuire looks to contribute as a rookie in 2017. McGuire played four years at Louisiana-Lafayette and gained over 4,000 yards in four seasons.
McGuire also has some experience on special teams. He returned 28 punts over his final three seasons at UL-Lafayette. McGuire most likely won’t be a difference maker during his first season in the backfield but does add some value to the Jets in the future.
Conclusion
The 2017 season will be full of angry fans that are hoping for a bright future for this team. With a new coach calling the plays hopefully the Jets will figure out a more efficient way to get both Forte and Powell touches. Forte is at the tail end of his career while Powell is in his prime and McGuire is just a rookie. With the Jets years away from being a Super Bowl contender fans are left hoping that Powell’s skill set isn’t left wasting away in a franchise that struggles to find any sort of consistent success.
