As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 11: Bilal Powell
Last year’s ranking: 5
Position: RB
Age: 29
How acquired: Selected in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft
Years left on contract: 1
2018 Salary Cap figure: $4.9 million
Looking back at 2017: Powell began the year splitting time with Matt Forte, but he became the team’s lead back as Forte dealt with a knee injury.
Powell ended up starting 10 games. He set career highs in carries (178), rushing yards (722) and rushing touchdowns (5). He also caught 23 passes for 170 yards.
In his seven years with the Jets, Powell somehow still seems to begin each season as an afterthought and then emerges as a key piece of the team. He is now the longest-tenured player on the team, a remarkable feat for someone who has never entered the season as the clear-cut starter at his position.
Powell’s 75-yard touchdown against the Jaguars last year was his best highlight and one that should be shown to young football players an example of a smart player knowing the situation and playing through the whistle. Powell hit the ground, but realized he had not been touched, got up and raced for the touchdown. It was a great effort play and an example of his smarts.
Pro Football Focus ranked Powell 29th out of 60 running backs they graded. He was 21st as a rusher and 18th in blocking. He was 48th in receiving.
PFF has a stat called “breakaway percentage” that shows which runners earn the highest percentage of their yardage on big plays, which they qualify as runs of 15 yards or more. Powell was first in this category at 45.1 percent.
Outlook for 2018: Powell enters this year in familiar territory. The Jets went out and signed Isaiah Crowell to be their lead back. Powell has seen the team do this previously with Chris Ivory and Forte. The difference this time is Crowell’s durability.
I expect Powell’s production to drop dramatically this season, not because of any dropoff by him but because of fewer opportunities. Powell benefited in prior years from Ivory and Forte being injury prone. Crowell does not miss time. That is one of the things that appealed to the Jets about him.
There is also Elijah McGuire, the second-year running back who showed some potential last season. This spring, running backs coach Stump Mitchell compared him to LaDainian Tomlinson. That leads to me think McGuire’s role is going to increase.
The emergence of McGuire and the arrival of Crowell should cut into Powell’s numbers. Of course, he always seems to find a way to have a big role. He may do it again in 2018.