Could Jets Target Ronnie Hillman in Free Agency?

[jetfuel]

Could Jets Target Ronnie Hillman in Free Agency?

While it is true that the Jets will have the opportunity to address the halfback position throughout the upcoming draft, it would be wise to have a reliable veteran on the roster prior to that. There is no guarantee, nor indication to this point, that the team will be able to retain Chris Ivory and/or Bilal Powell.

As things currently stand, the Jets are set to go into the 2016 season with Zac Stacy and Dominique Williams as their backfield duo. That is hardly an inspiring running back tandem to go into battle with.

Although Stacy did have an exceptional rookie season in 2013, during which he carried the ball 250 times for 973 yards and 7 TD’s, he has all but disappeared since then. He was buried on the bench for most of the 2014 season with the Rams and almost all of the 2015 season with the Jets. Zac appears as if he is running in a swimming pool as his 4.55 40 on the scouting combine is a distant memory.

Entering the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Wagner College, Dominique Williams tore it up in his four years at Wagner with 908 carries for 4,435 yards and 42 TD’s. He also added on 65 catches for 654 yards and another 4 TD’s. While those numbers are impressive, you have to consider that he was playing in the Northeast Conference, which is a far cry from the level of competition in the NFL.

Williams is certainly an intriguing project, but it remains to be seen what he will be able to do on the professional level. There is no guarantee that he will even make it out of training camp with the team, and if he does it is likely to be as a member of the practice squad as he continues to develop and adapt to the NFL game.

To go into the draft with such uncertainty at any position, let alone the running back spot, is dangerous to say the least. That is exactly what causes teams to reach for talent in the selection process, which is never a winning strategy in the NFL Draft. You want to fill as many holes as you can beforehand, so that you can choose the best players available that fit your scheme.

Assuming that Ivory and Powell end up on other teams in 2016, who else can the Jets look at in free agency to help fill the void left by their two starting halfbacks? Being that a big part of the reason the team may have trouble retaining those two is because of limited salary cap space, it is not likely that Lamar Miller, Matt Forte, C.J. Anderson or even Alfred Morris will be wearing the green and white this year.

Arian Foster is definitely a tempting choice, but he is likely to command a significant salary and his best days are behind him as he has been the walking wounded for the past three years, only competing in 25 of a possible 48 games. He is also 30 years old with a ton of mileage on his legs.

Next up in the line of free agent HB’s is the 24 year-old Ronnie Hillman, who had a breakout year for the Broncos in 2015, accounting for 863 yards on 207 carries with 7 TD’s. In addition, Hillman had 24 catches for 11 yards, proving that he can at least play a role in the passing game.

After being selected by the Broncos in the third round of the 2012 draft out of San Diego State, Hillman was relegated to a backup role in his first three seasons. In those three years, Ronnie saw action in 32 games, collecting 982 yards on 246 carries with 5 TD’s as well as 43 catches for 320 yards and a TD. He eventually earned more playing time in 2015, after C.J. Anderson struggled mightily early on, and he gave the Broncos' offense the spark they needed.

During his two seasons at San Diego State, Hillman lit up the Mountain West Conference to the tune of 573 carries for 3,243 yards and 32 TD’s. He also grabbed 33 passes for 338 yards and another 3 TD’s. His 1,532 rushing yards and 17 Td’s were good for first in the conference in 2010, which he followed up with 1,711 yards and 19 TD’s in 2011, also good for tops in the Mountain West Conference.

Hillman is an incredibly quick and agile runner with excellent field vision and the patience to allow his offensive lineman to open up holes for him. He may not have blazing speed, but can get to the edge in no time, and once he hits the second level, Ronnie has the acceleration necessary to take off down the field.

Also a weapon on passing downs, Hillman can make people miss and gain significant yards after the catch in the screen game, although he could still use some work on his pass protection. Not exactly the workhorse type at 5’10 195 pounds, Hillman is best off sharing carries with another back.

The good news is that he will only be turning 25 at the start of the 2016 season. The arrow is still pointing up for the young Hillman, and he has not been subject to excessive wear and tear during his four seasons in the league.

The fact that he is a young back on the rise could make one conclude that he might be due for a significant payday, but his numbers in the playoffs during the Broncos' Super Bowl run may work to drive his price down a bit.

Totaling only 54 yards on 32 carries in the postseason, teams will be hesitant to shower him with money, which could work to the Jets’ advantage. At the same time, they have to hope that those numbers were a product of defenses loading up against the run due to the fact that Peyton Manning could no longer beat them with his arm.

If the Jets cannot convince Ivory or Powell to stick around, Hillman would be quite an interesting option to team up with a halfback they choose in the draft. They can also hope for a resurgence from Zac Stacy this year, but that is not something the team can count on judging by his play in limited action this past season.

At the very least, Hillman would be an upgrade over what they have right now. He would provide the Jets with a young back who has the potential to bring his game to the next level if he continues the improvement he has shown the last couple of years.

[SenorGato]

Yes, Hillman's one of the potential bargains of this FA class. Hasn't had a million dollar salary yet and is only 25 this season. I prefer him to resigning Powell for $3m+. He's a FA I'd like them to move quickly on.

[SoFlaJets]

He's going to need to improve upon these numbers: (SFJ) "In addition, Hillman had 24 catches for 11 yards, proving that he can at least play a role in the passing game."

and this;   Totaling only 54 yards on 32 carries in the postseason is  all that Savage69 needs to see, another RB who puts up Cumar-type numbers in the post season 

[RoadFan]

Hillman is just not very good.  An unreliable, part-time, speed guy that isn't very speedy.  Above average speed but still not enough to consistently beat OLBs to the edge, not particularly elusive, runs with little to no power, and has below average ball security.

Pass.

 

[joewilly12]

4 minutes ago, RoadFan said:

Hillman is just not very good.  An unreliable, part-time, speed guy that isn't very speedy.  Above average speed but still not enough to consistently beat OLBs to the edge, not particularly elusive, runs with little to no power, and has below average ball security.

Pass.

 

Agree no more trash

[New York Mick]

As a 4th RB sure but he's not a starter or even a good 3rd down back. They need to find a better option or draft one. 

[joewilly12]

Zac Stacey sucks as well. Re-Sign Ridley and Powell draft a RB if the RB they want is there at 20 draft him.

[JETSfaninNE]

I think we should focus on re-signing Powell and focus on signing Khiry Robinson from the Saints.  He basically is another Ivory and it would also be funny to take another RB from the Saints who was buried on the depth chart and make them a premier RB in the league   Then draft Lasko in the 3rd or 4th if we don't take EZ Elliott in the 1st.

 

Quote

The minimum RFA tender is $1.67 million, which would come with no draft-pick compensation. Or the Saints could offer $2.55 million to require other teams to give up a second-round pick if they sign the player and the Saints don’t match.

We could get him for a hair under 2mil since there is no way the Saints will offer up 2.55 mil to try and get a 2nd rd pick.

Quote

He did have off-the-field issues last year. Sources confirmed to ESPN that Robinson was fined by the team for striking an intern during training camp. Pro Football Talk reported Robinson struck the intern after a dispute about whether Robinson owed the intern money for driving him on an errand. 

Just make sure Geno isn't on the team if we sign him, don't need another locker room altercation over money!!

[Integrity28]

Trevathan is my preferred ex-Bronco signing, but this one would actually make a ton of sense too.

[32EBoozer]

18 minutes ago, JETSfaninNE said:

I think we should focus on re-signing Powell and focus on signing Khiry Robinson from the Saints.  He basically is another Ivory and it would also be funny to take another RB from the Saints who was buried on the depth chart and make them a premier RB in the league   Then draft Lasko in the 3rd or 4th if we don't take EZ Elliott in the 1st.

 

We could get him for a hair under 2mil since there is no way the Saints will offer up 2.55 mil to try and get a 2nd rd pick.

Just make sure Geno isn't on the team if we sign him, don't need another locker room altercation over money!!

Robinson is defenitely an under the radar day 4 FA signing if Powell/Ivory go elsewhere.

[jetfuel]

23 minutes ago, Integrity28 said:

Trevathan is my preferred ex-Bronco signing, but this one would actually make a ton of sense too.

I hear ya, but unfortunately there is no way they can afford Trevathan

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, SoFlaJets said:

He's going to need to improve upon these numbers: (SFJ) "In addition, Hillman had 24 catches for 11 yards, proving that he can at least play a role in the passing game."

and this;   Totaling only 54 yards on 32 carries in the postseason is  all that Savage69 needs to see, another RB who puts up Cumar-type numbers in the post season 

The 11 was a typo it is actually 111 ... the numbers in the postseason had a lot to do with Peyton's noodle arm and inability to do ANYTHING in the passing game. Nobody is afraid of Manning at this point.

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, RoadFan said:

Hillman is just not very good.  An unreliable, part-time, speed guy that isn't very speedy.  Above average speed but still not enough to consistently beat OLBs to the edge, not particularly elusive, runs with little to no power, and has below average ball security.

Pass.

 

So you'd rather roll with Stacy and Dominique Williams? Because that is what they have now

 

1 hour ago, RoadFan said:

Hillman is just not very good.  An unreliable, part-time, speed guy that isn't very speedy.  Above average speed but still not enough to consistently beat OLBs to the edge, not particularly elusive, runs with little to no power, and has below average ball security.

Pass.

 

 

[Shadetree]

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the planet that still believes in Zac Stacy.

Theres me and , maybe, his mother?

 

[jetfuel]

1 hour ago, New York Mick said:

As a 4th RB sure but he's not a starter or even a good 3rd down back. They need to find a better option or draft one. 

I agree that they need better but can't afford the big FA's and Hillman is better than Stacy & Dominique Williams combined. Still need to draft a back but they need something on the roster before that

[jetfuel]

33 minutes ago, JETSfaninNE said:

I think we should focus on re-signing Powell and focus on signing Khiry Robinson from the Saints.  He basically is another Ivory and it would also be funny to take another RB from the Saints who was buried on the depth chart and make them a premier RB in the league   Then draft Lasko in the 3rd or 4th if we don't take EZ Elliott in the 1st.

 

We could get him for a hair under 2mil since there is no way the Saints will offer up 2.55 mil to try and get a 2nd rd pick.

Just make sure Geno isn't on the team if we sign him, don't need another locker room altercation over money!!

As long as the 2nd Rd pick is not involved or any other pick I'd take Robinson for sure. Better than what's on the roster now. I'd love to have Powell back too but we're gonna have to see what the market is on him.

[jetfuel]

5 minutes ago, Shadetree said:

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the planet that still believes in Zac Stacy.

Theres me and , maybe, his mother?

 

I don't hate him but he needs to turn back into 2013 Zac before I'd be comfortable with him starting. Not sure what the deal is with him. Not like they used him much last year though. There's gotta be a reason. I guess we'll see what happens.

[JETSfaninNE]

8 minutes ago, jetfuel said:

As long as the 2nd Rd pick is not involved or any other pick I'd take Robinson for sure. Better than what's on the roster now. I'd love to have Powell back too but we're gonna have to see what the market is on him.

If the market is around 3mil for Powell and we can snag Robinson for 2mil or slightly less and draft another RB in the mid rounds I think we would look really good at <6mil for the whole RB core.  Man I would be so happy if it turned out like that.  Robinson is only 26 too so you easily got another 2-3 years of that bruiser.

[Shadetree]

13 minutes ago, jetfuel said:

I don't hate him but he needs to turn back into 2013 Zac before I'd be comfortable with him starting. Not sure what the deal is with him. Not like they used him much last year though. There's gotta be a reason. I guess we'll see what happens.

I'm hoping hes proved enough to the brass between the end of the season and now to prove he means business, ala Eddie Lacey.

Lacey looks like he lost 20 lbs already after an embarrassing public lashing from McCarthy.

um not saying Stacy is Lacey, by any means, but showing youre dedicated to your job in the offseason has got to count for something.

cmon, Stacy, prove me right!! 

So im a believer in Stacy and mcdougal.. I'm like  Bill Walsh reincarnated, aren't I??!??

[SenorGato]

Bobby Rainey is a similar or better option that would work for the Jets. 

[cant wait]

hillman has one of the worst yards after contact rates in the league

[jetfuel]

20 minutes ago, SenorGato said:

Bobby Rainey is a similar or better option that would work for the Jets. 

I'm open to suggestions when it comes to the Jets getting ANY halfback before the draft if Ivory and Powell walk. Rainey is an interesting option too, although I'm not sure if he is really better than Hillman and he's 4 years older. One thing is for sure, and that is that neither of them can be mistaken for Walter Payton.

[Beerfish]

Hillman stinks in my opinion, goes down very easy.

[The Troll]

They better not. He's ******* terrible.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jetfuel]

17 hours ago, Beerfish said:

Hillman stinks in my opinion, goes down very easy.

Well, I never said he is the second coming of Barry Sanders. He might be better than what Jets have right now though and he still has room to improve at his age. Just put it out there as a low-cost option.

[joewilly12]

21 minutes ago, jetfuel said:

Well, I never said he is the second coming of Barry Sanders. He might be better than what Jets have right now though and he still has room to improve at his age. Just put it out there as a low-cost option.

I prefer Stevan Ridley back healthy and with a full camp. 

[Dcat]

Hillman had every opportunity last year to steal the starting job from a disappointing CJ Anderson.  The best he could do is earn split time with a struggling CJ.  Hillman is quick, but he doesn't seem to use that speed to his own advantage.   Pass.

[jetfuel]

38 minutes ago, joewilly12 said:

I prefer Stevan Ridley back healthy and with a full camp. 

I'd love it if Ridley could return to his old form this year, but there has been absolutely no indication that he can to this point. I guess we shall see what happens

[Savage69]

23 hours ago, SoFlaJets said:

He's going to need to improve upon these numbers: (SFJ) "In addition, Hillman had 24 catches for 11 yards, proving that he can at least play a role in the passing game."

and this;   Totaling only 54 yards on 32 carries in the postseason is  all that Savage69 needs to see, another RB who puts up Cumar-type numbers in the post season 

Did we give up a 1st and 3rd pick and 6 million a year for him?? If not no complaint from me and the 6 million was 1998 money..LOL

[Jack Straw]

Fun fact, my friend is engaged to Dominique Williams.

[jetfuel]

3 minutes ago, Jack Straw said:

Fun fact, my friend is engaged to Dominique Williams.

That's awesome ... let's hope he can be a diamond in the rough for Jets.

[Beerfish]

18 hours ago, jetfuel said:

Well, I never said he is the second coming of Barry Sanders. He might be better than what Jets have right now though and he still has room to improve at his age. Just put it out there as a low-cost option.

I was not trying to take a shot at your suggestion so my apologies if if sounded that way.  I was just being blunt about my feelings about the guy.

[jetfuel]

5 hours ago, Beerfish said:

I was not trying to take a shot at your suggestion so my apologies if if sounded that way.  I was just being blunt about my feelings about the guy.

I didn't take it personally at all. No harm done. You have a right to your opinion and I can't say I'm 100% convinced that you're wrong either. I just know we are not getting Doug Martin or someone of that level, so I'd give Hillman a shot for now and draft someone to share the load. I'm definitely open to better options if they can fit them under the cap.