Gang Inexperienced’s dashing assault flashed occasional moments of brilliance all through the 2021 season.
Like Week 16 when the Jets eviscerated the Jaguars on the bottom to a tune of 273 yards of their 26-21 victory.
However at different occasions, the bottom recreation was on the again of a milk carton, placing extra stress on rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. Week 3′s loss towards the Broncos was an ideal instance because the operating assault produced a season-low 43 yards, which led to Wilson throwing the ball 35 occasions. The Jets offense failed to attain that day in Denver.
Total, although, the operating again room as constructed is strong and has sufficient expertise to execute offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s dashing scheme, although the general numbers from final season weren’t eye popping.
With the 2021 NFL Draft quick approaching, right here’s an summary of the present state of the operating again room.
The Jets main rusher throughout Robert Saleh’s first season on the helm of the franchise was rookie Michael Carter. The fourth-rounder out of North Carolina completed with 639 yards, a strong 4.35 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns.
Carter’s finest trait was operating by means of contact as he completed with 558 yards after contact and his per carry common of three.8 was ninth finest within the NFL, in line with Subsequent Gen Stats. Additionally, he averaged a damaged deal with per 11 rushes (twelfth highest within the NFL, in line with Professional Soccer Reference).
Carter was additionally a risk within the passing recreation by ending with 325 receiving yards on 36 catches.
His finest recreation got here in that Week 16 win over the Jaguars when he exploded for 118 yards. It was Carter’s solely 100-yard dashing efficiency, however he was on tempo for an additional the next week towards the Buccaneers after an explosive 55-yard run on the opening drive. However a concussion ended his afternoon early.
Ex-49er Tevin Coleman was second with 356 yards and Ty Johnson was third with 238 and two touchdowns.
The Jets averaged 98.1 yards dashing throughout the ‘21 marketing campaign, twenty fifth within the NFL, however produced 4.4 yards per carry, 14th finest. These numbers together with their particular person stats wouldn’t lead you to consider this unit is something greater than under common.
However you'll be able to’t put the blame for the pedestrian numbers solely on the operating backs as a number of components affected their capability to constantly run the ball.
Sure weeks, the Jets protection struggled so mightily it compelled the offense to stray away from the run recreation early, just like the Falcons recreation in London when the D allowed 20 first half factors. Or when the protection allowed 54, 45 and 45 factors to the Patriots (Week 7), Colts (Week 9) and Payments (Week 10).
Arduous to run the ball when the scoreboard is that lopsided.
There have been different video games when the offensive line struggled to create holes for the backs. A first-rate instance got here in Week 1 towards the Panthers as Carolina’s line of defense consistently penetrated the Jets’ line of scrimmage.
Arduous for the backs to seek out operating lanes when the offensive line is struggling, which led to 45 yards dashing of their season opening, 19-14, loss to the Panthers.
To their credit score, the operating again group and the offensive line bounced again from their Week 1 struggles and rolled the Patriots for 152 yards in Week 2. If Wilson didn’t toss 4 interceptions, Gang Inexperienced might have snagged a victory.
The Jets have a strong core of operating backs and in LaFleur’s scheme, that’s greater than sufficient since they’re utilizing a committee method. The west coast offense doesn't require a workhorse, although Carter is greater than able to it.
So going into the draft the Jets don’t have to draft a operating again however there might be some dynamic choices in the event that they select to go that route.
Iowa State’s Breece Corridor, 6-1, 220-pounds, who rushed for 1,472 and 20 touchdowns in 2021, is thought to be among the best backs on this class and anticipated to be a Day 2 decide. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III (5-10, 210) exploded onto the scene as a junior with 1,636 yards with 18 touchdowns and is one other selection.
Each might complement the Jets operating again group to provide it extra energy and punch.
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