After Breece Hall, the New York Jets still lack a reliable backup running back, and one analyst believes that Ezekiel Elliott is their best remaining option.
After signing contracts with new organisations, Royce Freeman and J.K. Dobbins were the only free agents remaining in the running back class. Ralph Ventre of SI.com thinks that Elliott is the Jets’ best chance to locate a seasoned backup at the position.
Ezekiel Elliott, a former Pro Bowl player for the Dallas Cowboys, is still probably the most appealing free agent option available, according to Ventre. As a second-stringer, the former No. 4 overall selection pick for the New England Patriots played in all 17 games last season, amassing 955 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.
Elliott may have been a member of a rival division in 2023, but the Jets may still be able to use him as Hall’s reliable backup.
How Much of Ezekiel Elliott’s Tank Is Left?
Elliott’s tenure in the NFL may soon be coming to an end after such a legendary career.
Elliott, an Ohio State graduate, was selected fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for the Cowboys for his first seven seasons, making three trips to the Pro Bowl and being named to the first team of All-Pros in 2016. He had two seasons in which he was the NFL’s leading rusher.
The Cowboys, however, came under fire for giving Elliott a $90 million contract extension in 2019, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. After just one year of the contract, his rushing efficiency fell, and the organisation terminated him in 2023.
In the previous offseason, Elliott inked a one-year contract with the Patriots. Sadly, he was unable to recover, managing only 3.5 yards per carry on average.
Elliott is starting to approach the end of his career at this point, having made over 2,000 running attempts in his career. Even though he is only 28 years old, he is worn out from years of being a workhorse.
The Jets may still prefer a senior backup with experience. Elliott might be able to contribute in a restricted capacity for at least another year if that’s the case.
Who Are The Other RB Options in New York?
There isn’t much experience behind Hall if the Jets don’t make another running back move.
The Jets selected Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. But as a rookie, he wasn’t able to see much of the pitch. He only gained 70 yards on 22 carries, or an average of just 3.2 yards per attempt.
Jacques Patrick and Xazavian Valladay are the other two running backs. They each have two professional carries, so in 2024, don’t anticipate them to be required to accomplish much.
The team has observed that New York lacks depth at the running back position. Even after the summer, running back was still a priority for the squad, according to head coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets may yet choose to go with Elliott. If general manager Joe Douglas isn’t comfortable with what a senior free agent can offer, he may decide to take a chance on a youngster in the 2024 NFL Draft.
If not, the Jets will need to depend on some unproven players to cover for Hall.
