Even though the Jets have some of the most money dedicated to the running back position in the NFL, it’s still an area of need come draft weekend.
Beyond Le’Veon Bell, who is coming off the worst statistical season of his career, the Jets lack depth. Entering his third season, Trenton Cannon has been nothing more than a special teamer and lost most of last season to injury. While intriguing, undrafted free agent prospect Jalin Moore spent his entire rookie campaign on the non-football injury list. In addition, Kenneth Dixon and Josh Adams have yet to prove worthy of their draft slots and are just names on a depth chart.
It also looks unlikey that Ty Montgomery or Bilal Powell will return.
So yeah, the Jets need to draft a running back, but that won’t happen until the middle rounds at the earliest. Runners such as D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins and Clyde Edwards-Helaire were intentionally left off this list because the Jets don’t have the roster flexibility to spend a first-round or high-Day 2 pick on a running back.
With that said, let’s take a look at six running backs Gang Green could target during draft weekend.
Zack Moss, Utah
Zack Moss is a very quick back for someone who weighs 223 pounds. He’s a violent runner but also possesses the necessary vision, balance and patience to be an eventual starter at the next level.
Moss returned for his senior season at Utah, spurning the NFL due to knee concerns. He started 12 of 13 games and earned third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team all-conference honors as one of the nation’s top rushers. Moss was the Utes’ workhorse, rushing 235 times for 1,416 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was also a threat in the passing game, catching 28 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns.
There have been growing concerns about Moss’ medicals due to the lack of in-person information teams have been able to receive during the pandemic. Moss’ surgically repaired knee checked out well in a recent exam, though, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Moss’ agent told Schefter that all 32 NFL teams have been notified of the results, which could lead to a rise in draft stock.
The cousin of former Jet Santana Moss, the Utah product would be the perfect complement to Le’Veon Bell if New York elects to spend a Day 2 pick on a running back.
Cam Akers, Florida State
Cam Akers totaled 18 touchdowns during his final season at Florida State.
He received second-team all-conference honors after leading FSU with 1,144 rushing yards on 231 carries and 14 touchdowns. He also caught 30 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns.
A smooth runner, Akers is a solid bet to be a three-down back at the next level. He needs to improve his ball security, but he has the elusiveness and field vision to be a consistent threat out of backfields for years to come.
Anthony McFarland, Maryland
Injuries have been the only thing holding Anthony McFarland back. He would be amongst the draft’s top backs if not for a high-ankle sprain that hindered his performance last season.
McFarland started seven of 11 games in 2019, running for 614 yards on 114 carries and eight touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 17 receptions for 126 yards and one score.
The Maryland product runs hard for his size, standing at 5-foot-8. He can accelerate to top speeds and can be a playmaker at the next level, but he needs to prove he can stay healthy.
Darrynton Evans, App State
If the Jets were to take App State product Darrynton Evans, he would follow in the footsteps of Elijah McGuire and Trenton Cannon, fellow small school backs who garnered Gang Green’s interest.
Evans is a change of pace back who can disrupt the flow of the game with his elusiveness and creativity. He may be a bit undersized at 5-foot-10, 203-pounds, but there’s no question he has speed. Evans ran an official 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, further proving that he has the potential to be a home run hitter when letting loose.
Evans was named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, rushing for 1,480 yards on 255 carries with 18 touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 198 yards and five scores.
Lamical Perine, Florida
Lamical Perine has the prototypical build for a pro back at 5-foot-11, 216-pounds.
As Florida’s top runner in 2019, Perine carried the ball 131 carries times for 677 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. In addition, he was also among the team’s top receivers, catching 40 passes for 262 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Perine is a backup-caliber running back with good hands, balance and vision, which would make him a solid third-down option at the next level.
LeVante Bellamy, Western Michigan
LeVante Bellamy projects to be the biggest sleeper running back in this year’s draft.
As the bell cow back for Western Michigan in 2019, Bellamy earned the MAC Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors. He ran for 1,472 yards on 266 carries with 23 rushing touchdowns.
An undersized runner at 5-foot-9, 192-pounds, Bellamy has the change of pace speed to compete for a spot in an NFL backfield next season. He has good acceleration and vision, but his pass-catching abilities need to improve to be a dependable back. The one concern with Bellamy is he’s already 23 years old and is among the older draft prospects in this year’s class.
