Running back wasn’t an immediate need for the Jets, but Florida’s La’Michal Perine should make for a solid third-down rusher to back up Le’Veon Bell.
He’s a big-bodied back at 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds who can break tackles and create yards after contact. Perine always worked in a committee at Florida – he never touched the ball more than 19 times in a game his senior season – but still managed 2,495 yards and 22 touchdowns in 50 games and averaged 5.0 yards per rush.
Perine offers a dual-threat ability for the Jets as well. He caught 50 receptions for 262 yards and five touchdowns in 2019 and averaged 9.4 yards per reception during his career at Florida. Perine should contribute as a pass-blocker as well, especially on third down.
The biggest knock against Perine, as noted earlier, is his ability to be a three-down back. He always worked in a timeshare and never eclipsed 900 rushing yards in a season. The Jets shouldn’t expect that from Perine, especially considering he still needs to work on his decision-making behind the line of scrimmage. Bell should help with that, though, considering he’s one the most patient runners in the game. Perine isn’t the fastest rusher, either, and could struggle evading NFL tacklers.
