If Jets Pick Fournette, is it bye-bye Bilal?

[JetNation]

By Glenn Naughton

 

In his latest mock draft for NJ.com, New York Jets beat writer Connor Hughes has Gang Green taking supremely talented LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the sixth pick in round one.  Hardly a controversial choice as some view Fournette as the best overall player in this year’s draft, and you’d be hard pressed to find a mock draft that has him falling past the Jets once they’re on the clock.

As is almost always the case with first-round picks, there will be a significant impact on the Jets depth chart if Fournette is added to the fold, so the question is, what would it mean for the team’s other running backs?

Given his physical attributes and draft slot, Fournette would have to be considered the team’s starter from the moment he arrives in Florham Park.  This would mean that the team’s next two backs on the depth chart, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, will have cloudy futures with the team.

Powell could be looking over his shoulder in the not-so-distant future.

Powell proved last season that he’s the superior back at this point in his career, no matter how good Matt Forte’s resume is.  In just four starts, Powell averaged a whopping 5.5 yards per carry despite playing with some of the league’s worst quarterbacks in Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty.

Working with essentially the same offensive group, Forte got the bulk of the carries before being placed on injured reserve in late December.  Prior to suffering injuries to his shoulder and knee that put him on the shelf for the closing weeks of the season, Forte averaged just 3.7 YPC and posted a career-low with just 30 receptions.  He was nowhere near as good as Powell.

However, when it comes to moving either player, there’s a problem, and that problem is money.

Forte and Powell currently have a combined cap hit of $9.63 million according to overthecap.com.  With almost all of that money guaranteed to both players, parting ways with either one will be cost prohibitive.

If the Jets were to move Forte, who is unlikely to command much (if anything at all) via trade, they’d be looking at $6 million in “dead money”.  Of the two, Powell would clearly have more trade value, but the Jets wouldn’t do much better in moving him as a trade would saddle the Jets with a cap hit of just over $4 million, freeing up just a few hundred thousand dollars in space.

Despite a disappointing 2016, Matt Forte might hang around for a second season in Green and White.

This essentially gives the Jets three options should they select Fournette:

• Keep all 3 running backs which will carry a tab of well over $10 million, with at least one back likely to see the field only in spot/mop-up duty.
• Release Forte and add a $5 million cap hit with nothing to show for it.
• Release or trade Powell, getting rid of one of their top offensive players in exchange for a mid/late-round pick, and pay roughly $4 million for the pleasure.

It’s not an enviable position for Jets GM Mike Maccagnan who clearly expected Forte to have a bit more left in the tank when he signed him last off-season as a free agent.  It’s also possible that Forte could see an uptick in production, at least in the passing game, if the Jets’ new offense calls for a receiving back out of the backfield, thereby easing the pain of paying a declining player that kind of money.

If Powell is in fact the odd man out, and the Jets don’t get equal value in trade, it would be a fitting end to his time in New York where he has hung around for four offensive coordinators, all of whom seemed to underestimate, under-appreciate and under-utilize him in the team’s offense.

Moving Powell would be a bad move for the Jets, but it may be exactly what’s needed for the player.

 

Do you have any thoughts on the impact Fournette or any other first round choice may have on the team’s roster? Click here to log in to our forums and voice your opinion.

 

 

Click here to read the full story...

[JetNation]

By Glenn Naughton

 

In his latest mock draft for NJ.com, New York Jets beat writer Connor Hughes has Gang Green taking supremely talented LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the sixth pick in round one.  Hardly a controversial choice as some view Fournette as the best overall player in this year’s draft, and you’d be hard pressed to find a mock draft that has him falling past the Jets once they’re on the clock.

As is almost always the case with first-round picks, there will be a significant impact on the Jets depth chart if Fournette is added to the fold, so the question is, what would it mean for the team’s other running backs?

Given his physical attributes and draft slot, Fournette would have to be considered the team’s starter from the moment he arrives in Florham Park.  This would mean that the team’s next two backs on the depth chart, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, will have cloudy futures with the team.

Powell could be looking over his shoulder in the not-so-distant future.

Powell proved last season that he’s the superior back at this point in his career, no matter how good Matt Forte’s resume is.  In just four starts, Powell averaged a whopping 5.5 yards per carry despite playing with some of the league’s worst quarterbacks in Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty.

Working with essentially the same offensive group, Forte got the bulk of the carries before being placed on injured reserve in late December.  Prior to suffering injuries to his shoulder and knee that put him on the shelf for the closing weeks of the season, Forte averaged just 3.7 YPC and posted a career-low with just 30 receptions.  He was nowhere near as good as Powell.

However, when it comes to moving either player, there’s a problem, and that problem is money.

Forte and Powell currently have a combined cap hit of $9.63 million according to overthecap.com.  With almost all of that money guaranteed to both players, parting ways with either one will be cost prohibitive.

If the Jets were to move Forte, who is unlikely to command much (if anything at all) via trade, they’d be looking at $6 million in “dead money”.  Of the two, Powell would clearly have more trade value, but the Jets wouldn’t do much better in moving him as a trade would saddle the Jets with a cap hit of just over $4 million, freeing up just a few hundred thousand dollars in space.

Despite a disappointing 2016, Matt Forte might hang around for a second season in Green and White.

This essentially gives the Jets three options should they select Fournette:

• Keep all 3 running backs which will carry a tab of well over $10 million, with at least one back likely to see the field only in spot/mop-up duty.
• Release Forte and add a $5 million cap hit with nothing to show for it.
• Release or trade Powell, getting rid of one of their top offensive players in exchange for a mid/late-round pick, and pay roughly $4 million for the pleasure.

It’s not an enviable position for Jets GM Mike Maccagnan who clearly expected Forte to have a bit more left in the tank when he signed him last off-season as a free agent.  It’s also possible that Forte could see an uptick in production, at least in the passing game, if the Jets’ new offense calls for a receiving back out of the backfield, thereby easing the pain of paying a declining player that kind of money.

If Powell is in fact the odd man out, and the Jets don’t get equal value in trade, it would be a fitting end to his time in New York where he has hung around for four offensive coordinators, all of whom seemed to underestimate, under-appreciate and under-utilize him in the team’s offense.

Moving Powell would be a bad move for the Jets, but it may be exactly what’s needed for the player.

 

Do you have any thoughts on the impact Fournette or any other first round choice may have on the team’s roster? Click here to log in to our forums and voice your opinion.

 

 

Click here to read the full story...

[JiFtheOracle]

God I hope they dont take a one system RB at #6 overall.

Forte, should have never been signed to begin with...but if you're asking me who to keep it's Powell.  Money be damned. 

[Integrity28]

I hope they don't take a RB, because it would be stupid.

I hope even more that our fanbase can eventually get past the notion that you can only have one good player at a given position at a time. So, adding Fournette means getting rid of Powell. I feel like this conversation happens constantly amongst Jets fans... just swap out the names and position, but keep the bad logic.

[Jetdawgg]

Keep both Powell and Forte. Don't give opposing D's a breather. Roster mismanagement is a classic trait of Macc. The Jets need to keep their best players and play them.

 

[MDL_JET]

Ditch Forte, keep Powell. Quite simple. 

[SickJetFan]

I dont think money is an issue at all - Jets still have money left in cap and plenty to sign their draft picks.  They still have room to cut too and doubtful they are active in FA anymore at this point anyway...so who cares about the money especially on a team that will potentially have 80 million in cap space next year.

If they draft Fournette so be it - they could use all 3 backs as at least 1 is bound to get injury at some point and Fournette needs to work on pass protection anyway.

[Scott Dierking]

2 minutes ago, SickJetFan said:

I dont think money is an issue at all - Jets still have money left in cap and plenty to sign their draft picks.  They still have room to cut too and doubtful they are active in FA anymore at this point anyway...so who cares about the money especially on a team that will potentially have 80 million in cap space next year.

If they draft Fournette so be it - they could use all 3 backs as at least 1 is bound to get injury at some point and Fournette needs to work on pass protection anyway.

This is correct. Dead money on the cap at this point in the season is not really a big deal. It is a sunk cost, and the Jets would not really have much need to us that money if it was freed up anyway.

The problem would be pushing dead money to NEXT year.

[SickJetFan]

1 minute ago, Scott Dierking said:

This is correct. Dead money on the cap at this point in the season is not really a big deal. It is a sunk cost, and the Jets would not really have much need to us that money if it was freed up anyway.

The problem would be pushing dead money to NEXT year.

why they are not going to spend all of that 80 million anyway

[Scott Dierking]

1 minute ago, SickJetFan said:

why they are not going to spend all of that 80 million anyway

But, they can push some into the next year.

[SickJetFan]

Just now, Scott Dierking said:

But, they can push some into the next year.

true just dont think Forte cap hit is that big deal in whole scheme of things

[Paradis]

I'm not sure why Glenn or anyone would speculate on Powell's future. He's a very reliable 3rd down back and knows his assignment in pass protection. Unfortunately he's never been able to stay healthy when called upon for featured role, so i don't see his role changing regardless. 

[Tinstar]

This is a bad idea .  The best RB in the league over the past few years was AP and without a QB, all his exploits went for nothing . The Jets have no QB presently, and unless they draft one or develop 1 over the next 2 years, this RB will have been a waste of time . He's going to have to be the offense while the team try to develop a QB . This team can do that with what they have and a battering ram they can get later in the draft to sue in short yardage and goal line situations .

The Jets need to either Fortify the Defense to give themselves a chance while developing a QB or Fortify the OL to protect any QB they can develop .

[Warfish]

Why Powell, when Forte is still here?

 

[nicg4360]

I agree completely to not go with Fournette....I saw someone mention on a team that is not set up with the right personel he could be a Trent Richardson 2 but with a good team he could be all world. I'd rather get a back in the 3rd and build up our Oline before we dedicate such a high pick..Trent Richardson...shivers.

Sent from my Moto Z using JetNation.com mobile app

[CrazyCarl40]

Why would they want to get rid of this guy? It's pretty simple what to do at RB in 2017. Draft one in a round 2-5, wherever the value dictates. Allow that RB to assimilate behind two pros. Run Forte until the last wheel falls off and then cut him next season. Transition to a split load between Powell and 2017 draftee in 2018 and take a flyer in 2018 on a back that can serve multiple purposes (kr or pr) in that draft just not in the first round. First round running backs are not a smart investment. This is elementary general managing, so Macc will screw it up somehow. 

[RutgersJetFan]

If the Jets pick Fournette it's bye bye Mmaccaggnnann

[T0mShane]

They should pick OJ Howard to block for Bilal, filling that crucial Kellen Davis role.

[AFJF]

1 minute ago, T0mShane said:

They should pick OJ Howard to block for Bilal, filling that crucial Kellen Davis role.

Why draft Howard when you can just re-sigh Davis FTW?

[Jetdawgg]

1 hour ago, Tinstar said:

This is a bad idea .  The best RB in the league over the past few years was AP and without a QB, all his exploits went for nothing . The Jets have no QB presently, and unless they draft one or develop 1 over the next 2 years, this RB will have been a waste of time . He's going to have to be the offense while the team try to develop a QB . This team can do that with what they have and a battering ram they can get later in the draft to sue in short yardage and goal line situations .

The Jets need to either Fortify the Defense to give themselves a chance while developing a QB or Fortify the OL to protect any QB they can develop .

A weapon like Fournette changes the O. The Jets can throw the football with the WR Corps they now possess. It is the QB that is the question mark. No run game, no pass game. Get the weapons. Just building on the D is not working. As good as Powell is the Jets came in last place in the AFCE.

[Paradis]

Way too much absolutism in this thread and double standards. People love the BPA until it doesn't fit their dogma. Everyone's either the best pick or the worst. Let's give Hack a chance! But let's not give him a chance!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Warfish]

4 minutes ago, Paradis said:

Way too much absolutism in this thread and double standards. People love the BPA until it doesn't fit their dogma. Everyone's either the best pick or the worst. Let's give Hack a chance! But let's not give him a chance!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i don't love the BPA.  Frankly I've argued against a strict BPA approach for, let me see, just about forever.

BPA is a luxury only already excellent teams can enjoy IMO.  Bad teams cannot be so strict in their draft style.

[Paradis]

dbl post

[Paradis]

i don't love the BPA.  Frankly I've argued against a strict BPA approach for, let me see, just about forever.

BPA is a luxury only already excellent teams can enjoy IMO.  Bad teams cannot be so strict in their draft style.

 

I certainly wouldn't argue, but when I criticized why Leonard Williams was not smart use of draft currency -- I found myself tied to a burning stake. "BPA you loser!"

 

 

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[Beerfish]

15 minutes ago, Warfish said:

i don't love the BPA.  Frankly I've argued against a strict BPA approach for, let me see, just about forever.

BPA is a luxury only already excellent teams can enjoy IMO.  Bad teams cannot be so strict in their draft style.

I think it is the exact opposite.  You go bpa when you are a rebuilding team and ignore that when you are close.  In any case teams lie about this all the time, they say bpa and then don't do it.

There have been tons of cases of teams making a pick when they had no need and two years later it looks brilliant.

[jetophile]

I think the days of smallish RBs are over. 

32 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

They should pick OJ Howard to block for Bilal, filling that crucial Kellen Davis role.

I remember when Leon Johnson almost got Kellen Clemens killed. Blocking is a lost art. 

[MaxAF]

Dumping Powell would be a big mistake IMO. He broke out last year and should have a great season this year. Runs violently. Sure draft a RB but not at the expense of Powell.

[rangerous]

3 hours ago, JiF said:

God I hope they dont take a one system RB at #6 overall.

Forte, should have never been signed to begin with...but if you're asking me who to keep it's Powell.  Money be damned. 

powell's gotten better each year.  but the real question is when has a jet running back played all 16 games?  probably not since martin.  if they draft fournette there shouldn't be an issue keeping powell and forte.  this is the contract season for both of those guys so having fournette be the feature back next season would work out well.

[Tinstar]

1 hour ago, Jetdawgg said:

A weapon like Fournette changes the O. The Jets can throw the football with the WR Corps they now possess. It is the QB that is the question mark. No run game, no pass game. Get the weapons. Just building on the D is not working. As good as Powell is the Jets came in last place in the AFCE.

The Jets came in last in the AFC East for the same reason they had a record setting season the year prior . The QB's performance was terrible . If Nobody fears the QB, they will crowd the LOS and stop the run forcing the QB to throw . Fitzpatrick might have played horrific last season, but he knew enough to keep a defense honest .  Until we remedy this situation, you can draft Jim Brown and it won't make a difference .  

[Jetdawgg]

4 minutes ago, Tinstar said:

The Jets came in last in the AFC East for the same reason they had a record setting season the year prior . The QB's performance was terrible . If Nobody fears the QB, they will crowd the LOS and stop the run forcing the QB to throw . Fitzpatrick might have played horrific last season, but he knew enough to keep a defense honest .  Until we remedy this situation, you can draft Jim Brown and it won't make a difference .  

Petty was able to hit Robby Anderson deep a few times last season. The Jets can make them pay if they stack the box.

[Mike135]

2 hours ago, RutgersJetFan said:

If the Jets pick Fournette it's bye bye Mmaccaggnnann

So a win-win?

[varjet]

My biggest issue with Fournette is that he has a violent style and has been injury prone in college.  If I am a better team i pick him as the missing piece to win me playoff games.  For the Jets and their rebuild, which is a multiyear project, I wonder how useful Fournette is when the Jets actually need him.

But that being said, should they decide to draft him, there is no reason to trade or cut either Powell or Forte.  Unfortunately, even for those that like Macc, those 2 contracts were headscratchers.  But every NFL team has dead money and players they are stuck with.  The odds of all 3 RBs being healthy at any given time are very low.   They should just roll with the 3 of them and play it by ear.   They will also need a 4th and/or some PS players, because if they take LF they could end up with only 1 RB next year.

Fournette could be a scary pick, because even with bad QB play he could win the Jets a few games.  And he will make the QBs look better.  But he would be somewhat of a bandaid without better QB play.  He will be tempting for Macc and Bowles to pick because both he and Howard, in different ways, can have an immediate impact on the Jets in 2017.  Howard requires competent QB play-a TE actually thrives with an accurate QB, even if the arm is not super deep (see Trubisky).  With a RB, Petty or Hack can heave it D. Smith, Anderson, etc. and keep the defense honest.

[Tinstar]

18 minutes ago, Jetdawgg said:

Petty was able to hit Robby Anderson deep a few times last season. The Jets can make them pay if they stack the box.

Forgive me, but IMO, Bryce Petty should not be on somebody's practice squad .

[Sperm Edwards]

2 hours ago, Beerfish said:

I think it is the exact opposite.  You go bpa when you are a rebuilding team and ignore that when you are close.  In any case teams lie about this all the time, they say bpa and then don't do it.

There have been tons of cases of teams making a pick when they had no need and two years later it looks brilliant.

A little in between. If you're that good, you can do either. Or more correctly, BPA doesn't have to fit the highest-value positions because you've likely already filled those highest-value positions already (and is the reason you're that good in the first place).

For me it's not so much BPA, but BPA within a subset of the most expensive, or hardest-to-fill positions. The kind of players you could swing & miss on for half a decade, or players that would cost $15m/yr (maybe more) if they were to become available FAs in the first place. 

Taking a $6-9m/yr position at #6 overall? Meh. He'd better be top-2 at his position for the next decade.

[Jetdawgg]

1 hour ago, Tinstar said:

Forgive me, but IMO, Bryce Petty should not be on somebody's practice squad .

Lol. There were many here requesting he start over Smith last season. I have stated before the Jets have the worst QB Corps in the AFCE