Jump to content

2021 free agent Running Back class


Recommended Posts

I believe that after this year we can get out of Leveons contract without any major cap hits. If that’s the case, and Perine doesn’t seem ready to take over as a full time role.. what do you think about brining one of these guys in. I’d love to get either Henry, Fournette, Mixon, Kamara, or Cook in here! 

5CC94199-24BC-49D3-B323-1CBDF45A2473.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only free agent RBs that should be signed are complimentary or # 2 types.  Guys like Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde, Latavius Murray, Tevin Coleman or Chris Thompson.  Darren Sproles used to be the posterboy for this kind of complimentary, journeyman back.

Draft your starting RBs.  As late as possible in the 1st round is a good spot for that, so you can get the 5th year option.  Like Edwards-Helaire (Pick 32) in this past draft.  

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, joewilly12 said:

 

I really hope so! But I would think that next year we’d be at least hoping to compete for the division by that point. If this guy is not ready to take the reigns full time, I’d honestly give Cook or Henry a big contract

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Scott Dierking said:

How many times did our current GM draft? Douglas can't be the bearer for all his predecessors

I agree. I’m just saying it’s never happened before. If you have a chance to get one of these guys for next year hoping to compete for a division I think you might have to do it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Rhg1084 said:

I agree. I’m just saying it’s never happened before. If you have a chance to get one of these guys for next year hoping to compete for a division I think you might have to do it

RB's don't have a lot of tread on them after they have been in the league for 4 years. The pounding is too great.

There is a reason that RB's that have been productive hit free agency--They are replaceable, and smart clubs do not invest in veteran RB's.

See: our previous GM. Bad idea and Gase was against it, supposedly

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

I believe that after this year we can get out of Leveons contract without any major cap hits. If that’s the case, and Perine doesn’t seem ready to take over as a full time role.. what do you think about brining one of these guys in. I’d love to get either Henry, Fournette, Mixon, Kamara, or Cook in here! 

5CC94199-24BC-49D3-B323-1CBDF45A2473.jpeg

Most of these players will not look like attractive signings at all by the time 2021 FA starts. RB's fall off a cliff fast. I think Henry, Mixon, Lindsay are getting resigned. The others who knows, Fournette is a goner, Cook could get hurt again and get let go, Kamara could want too much money, Indy just drafted. a better version of Mack (Taylor), Gurley's knees are shot, and Drake is a ? 

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

When was the last time the Jets drafted and developed a franchise running back? Lol 

Just because a franchise has been historically bad at drafting doesn't make it a bad strategy.  And I'd say Leon Washington and Bilal Powell worked out well.  Not starters but solid # 2/complimentary guys.

Teams that have had success finding and developing starting-caliber (or highly useful # 2) RBs in the middle and even late rounds in the last 10+ years:

Packers

  • Aaron Jones (Rd 5, # 182 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Williams (Rd 4, # 134 - 2017)
  • Eddie Lacy (Rd 2, # 61 - 2013)
  • James Starks (Rd 6, # 193 - 2010)

Eagles

  • Miles Sanders (Rd 2, # 58 - 2019)
  • Dion Lewis (Rd 5, # 149 - 2011)
  • LeSean McCoy (Rd 2, # 53 - 2009)

Bears

  • David Montgomery (Rd 3, # 73 - 2019)
  • Tarik Cohen (Rd 4, # 119 - 2017)
  • Jordan Howard (Rd 5, # 150 - 2016)
  • Matt Forte (Rd 2, # 44 - 2008)

Steelers

  • James Conner (Rd 3, # 105 - 2017)
  • Le'Veon Bell (Rd 2, # 48 - 2013)

Falcons 

  • Tevin Coleman (Rd 3, # 73 - 2015)
  • Devonta Freeman (Rd 4, # 103 - 2014)

Dolphins

  • Kenyan Drake (Rd 3, # 73 - 2016)
  • Lamar Miller (Rd 4, # 97 - 2012)

Browns 

  • Nick Chubb (Rd 2, # 35 - 2018)
  • Duke Johnson (Rd 3, # 77 - 2015)

Bengals

  • Joe Mixon (Rd 2, # 48 - 2017)
  • Gio Bernard (Rd 2, #  37 - 2013)

Chiefs

  • Kareem Hunt (Rd 3, # 86 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Charles (Rd 3, # 73 - 2008)

Seahawks

  • Chris Carson (Rd 7, # 249 - 2017)
  • Justin Forsett (Rd 7, # 233 - 2008)

 

In addition, these teams all had impressive "one-offs" recently:

Saints

  • Alvin Kamara (Rd 3, # 67 - 2017)

Vikings

  • Dalvin Cook (Rd 2, # 41 - 2017)

Titans

  • Derrick Henry (Rd 2, # 45 - 2016)

Cardinals

  • David Johnson (Rd 3, # 86 - 2015)
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Just because a franchise has been historically bad at drafting doesn't make it a bad strategy.  And I'd say Leon Washington and Bilal Powell worked out well.  Not starters but solid # 2/complimentary guys.

Teams that have had success finding and developing starting-caliber (or highly useful # 2) RBs in the middle and even late rounds in the last 10+ years:

Packers

  • Aaron Jones (Rd 5, # 182 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Williams (Rd 4, # 134 - 2017)
  • Eddie Lacy (Rd 2, # 61 - 2013)
  • James Starks (Rd 6, # 193 - 2010)

Eagles

  • Miles Sanders (Rd 2, # 58 - 2019)
  • Dion Lewis (Rd 5, # 149 - 2011)
  • LeSean McCoy (Rd 2, # 53 - 2009)

Bears

  • David Montgomery (Rd 3, # 73 - 2019)
  • Tarik Cohen (Rd 4, # 119 - 2017)
  • Jordan Howard (Rd 5, # 150 - 2016)
  • Matt Forte (Rd 2, # 44 - 2008)

Steelers

  • James Conner (Rd 3, # 105 - 2017)
  • Le'Veon Bell (Rd 2, # 48 - 2013)

Falcons 

  • Tevin Coleman (Rd 3, # 73 - 2015)
  • Devonta Freeman (Rd 4, # 103 - 2014)

Dolphins

  • Kenyan Drake (Rd 3, # 73 - 2016)
  • Lamar Miller (Rd 4, # 97 - 2012)

Browns 

  • Nick Chubb (Rd 2, # 35 - 2018)
  • Duke Johnson (Rd 3, # 77 - 2015)

Bengals

  • Joe Mixon (Rd 2, # 48 - 2017)
  • Gio Bernard (Rd 2, #  37 - 2013)

Chiefs

  • Kareem Hunt (Rd 3, # 86 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Charles (Rd 3, # 73 - 2008)

Seahawks

  • Chris Carson (Rd 7, # 249 - 2017)
  • Justin Forsett (Rd 7, # 233 - 2008)

 

In addition, these teams all had impressive "one-offs" recently:

Saints

  • Alvin Kamara (Rd 3, # 67 - 2017)

Vikings

  • Dalvin Cook (Rd 2, # 41 - 2017)

Titans

  • Derrick Henry (Rd 2, # 45 - 2016)

Cardinals

  • David Johnson (Rd 3, # 86 - 2015)

I agree with your premise that ideally you wouldn’t want to be paying a high premium to a running back. With that being said, would they just rely on Perinine and rookies next year? I mean when are they ever gonna give Sam some talent around him?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

56 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

I believe that after this year we can get out of Leveons contract without any major cap hits. If that’s the case, and Perine doesn’t seem ready to take over as a full time role.. what do you think about brining one of these guys in. I’d love to get either Henry, Fournette, Mixon, Kamara, or Cook in here! 

5CC94199-24BC-49D3-B323-1CBDF45A2473.jpeg

Wait wait wait. You would rather sign Alvin Kamara or Dalvin Cook over THE Lamical Perine???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

I agree with your premise that ideally you wouldn’t want to be paying a high premium to a running back. With that being said, would they just rely on Perinine and rookies next year? I mean when are they ever gonna give Sam some talent around him?

Le'Veon Bell is the 3rd highest paid back in the league and put up average RB numbers in 2019.  Clearly, based on what I demonstrated, it doesn't require spending heavily on a back or even a 1st round pick to find quality, starting backs.  

Will we rely on Perine, and rookies next year?  Why not?  We saw Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders and Devin Singletary come right out of the gates and have successful rookie seasons last year.  The 2 years prior  it was Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt having highly productive rookie seasons.  Why can't that be us?

And no, I'm not ONLY suggesting we rely on Perine and rookie(s).  That's why I also said earlier in the thread that the only FA RB's you should sign are # 2/complimentary types.  Add one of those into the mix and we'll be all set.

Bottom line:  You shouldn't really ever be paying a premium for a starting back in this league given the volatility and short shelf life at the position.  Draft RBs every year and run them into the ground on their rookie deals.  It's not fair for those guys, but it's the way the system is set up.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, Greenseed4 said:

Wait wait wait. You would rather sign Alvin Kamara or Dalvin Cook over THE Lamical Perine???

I doubt Kamara hits free agency.  And even if guys like those 2 do, we might be viewing them very differently by 2021. 

Cook, especially, has an injury history that has followed him since his college days.  Hence why Minnesota has been hesitant to ink him to a new deal.  And rightfully so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Le'Veon Bell is the 3rd highest paid back in the league and put up average RB numbers in 2019.  Clearly, based on what I demonstrated, it doesn't require spending heavily on a back or even a 1st round pick to find quality, starting backs.  

Will we rely on Perine, and rookies next year?  Why not?  We saw Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders and Devin Singletary come right out of the gates and have successful rookie seasons last year.  The 2 years prior  it was Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt having highly productive rookie seasons.  Why can't that be us?

And no, I'm not ONLY suggesting we rely on Perine and rookie(s).  That's why I also said earlier in the thread that the only FA RB's you should sign are # 2/complimentary types.  Add one of those into the mix and we'll be all set.

Bottom line:  You shouldn't really ever be paying a premium for a starting back in this league given the volatility and short shelf life at the position.  Draft RBs every year and run them into the ground on their rookie deals.  It's not fair for those guys, but it's the way the system is set up.  

Ok but it’s the Jets. Who are they going to pay? They have to pay someone 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Lol seems like the consensus amongst Jets fans is to role with Perine and rookies ??‍♂️

It's a strategy that has worked in the NFL, so....yeah.

Name me a team that has paid big money to a RB (home grown or otherwise) and had it work out in the long run.

Recent examples of guys who fell off a cliff after getting paid include:

  • Le'Veon Bell
  • Todd Gurley
  • Devonta Freeman (currently unemployed)
  • Jerick McKinnon (signed big FA deal with 49ers in 2018; hasn't played a down for the team)
  • Lamar Miller (paid in 2016; out of the league since 2018)
  • Jamaal Charles (signed extension in 2014, had one 1,000+ yard season then was toast)
  • Doug Martin (out of the league since 2018)
  • DeMarco Murray (big FA contract with Eagles in 2015; let go in 2016 and career over after 2017)
  • Matt Forte (twice - Bears in 2012; Jets in 2016)
  • Arian Foster (signed extension in 2012, only played 27 more games over subsequent 4 seasons)
  • DeAngelo Williams
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Rhg1084 said:

Ok but it’s the Jets. Who are they going to pay? They have to pay someone 

No, they don't.  Not big money, at least.  Joe Douglas is not responsible for the mistakes of the past GM's, and paying a premium for starting RB's pretty much always fails.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Jetsfan80 said:

The only free agent RBs that should be signed are complimentary or # 2 types.  Guys like Frank Gore, Carlos Hyde, Latavius Murray, Tevin Coleman or Chris Thompson.  Darren Sproles used to be the posterboy for this kind of complimentary, journeyman back.

Draft your starting RBs.  As late as possible in the 1st round is a good spot for that, so you can get the 5th year option.  Like Edwards-Helaire (Pick 32) in this past draft.  

If Edwards helaire is as good as i think he will be kc will be darn near unstoppable barring injuries.  He's a perfect fit for them.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Rhg1084 said:

I believe that after this year we can get out of Leveons contract without any major cap hits. If that’s the case, and Perine doesn’t seem ready to take over as a full time role.. what do you think about brining one of these guys in. I’d love to get either Henry, Fournette, Mixon, Kamara, or Cook in here! 

5CC94199-24BC-49D3-B323-1CBDF45A2473.jpeg

Yes, this is a good idea. If Bell doesn't work out, let's pay big bucks to an older running back coming in from another team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, heymangold said:

Let’s spend big on a FA RB but not our all pro safety. Sure.

Neither.  The correct answer is spend big on neither.

RB and SS are the 2 every down positions that teams spend the least on, across the league.  They do that for good reason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Just because a franchise has been historically bad at drafting doesn't make it a bad strategy.  And I'd say Leon Washington and Bilal Powell worked out well.  Not starters but solid # 2/complimentary guys.

Teams that have had success finding and developing starting-caliber (or highly useful # 2) RBs in the middle and even late rounds in the last 10+ years:

Packers

  • Aaron Jones (Rd 5, # 182 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Williams (Rd 4, # 134 - 2017)
  • Eddie Lacy (Rd 2, # 61 - 2013)
  • James Starks (Rd 6, # 193 - 2010)

Eagles

  • Miles Sanders (Rd 2, # 58 - 2019)
  • Dion Lewis (Rd 5, # 149 - 2011)
  • LeSean McCoy (Rd 2, # 53 - 2009)

Bears

  • David Montgomery (Rd 3, # 73 - 2019)
  • Tarik Cohen (Rd 4, # 119 - 2017)
  • Jordan Howard (Rd 5, # 150 - 2016)
  • Matt Forte (Rd 2, # 44 - 2008)

Steelers

  • James Conner (Rd 3, # 105 - 2017)
  • Le'Veon Bell (Rd 2, # 48 - 2013)

Falcons 

  • Tevin Coleman (Rd 3, # 73 - 2015)
  • Devonta Freeman (Rd 4, # 103 - 2014)

Dolphins

  • Kenyan Drake (Rd 3, # 73 - 2016)
  • Lamar Miller (Rd 4, # 97 - 2012)

Browns 

  • Nick Chubb (Rd 2, # 35 - 2018)
  • Duke Johnson (Rd 3, # 77 - 2015)

Bengals

  • Joe Mixon (Rd 2, # 48 - 2017)
  • Gio Bernard (Rd 2, #  37 - 2013)

Chiefs

  • Kareem Hunt (Rd 3, # 86 - 2017)
  • Jamaal Charles (Rd 3, # 73 - 2008)

Seahawks

  • Chris Carson (Rd 7, # 249 - 2017)
  • Justin Forsett (Rd 7, # 233 - 2008)

 

In addition, these teams all had impressive "one-offs" recently:

Saints

  • Alvin Kamara (Rd 3, # 67 - 2017)

Vikings

  • Dalvin Cook (Rd 2, # 41 - 2017)

Titans

  • Derrick Henry (Rd 2, # 45 - 2016)

Cardinals

  • David Johnson (Rd 3, # 86 - 2015)

This post is game, set, match.

The above is how you get your RB.  "Splurge" for one in the 3rd round and maybe add another UDFA.

IMO, the Jets did it exactly right this year.  The only guy they're committed to (and it's a loose commitment) is Perine after the 2020 season. They can decide to keep or release Bell and will likely say goodbye to Gore.   I'd be fine drafting another RB in Round 4 or 5 next year.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, Rhg1084 said:

I really hope so! But I would think that next year we’d be at least hoping to compete for the division by that point. If this guy is not ready to take the reigns full time, I’d honestly give Cook or Henry a big contract

I would not give a veteran RB a big contract. I'm a fan of the RB by committee approach, and I believe Gase is, too. Joe Douglas doesn't come across like a guy who's going to spend a premium on a RB, either. 

I like what the Jets have done at RB this year. They have three guys, each of whom is capable of running, catching, and pass protecting. Rather than having a 3rd down specialist, they're in a position to just stick with the hot hand. None of these guys ever have to get off the field. I expect that Perine will be brought along to be the backbone of that committee by next season when they let Bell and his big contract walk. They'll backfill the position like they did this year, and @Jetsfan80 suggests; with another draft pick and a second tier veteran. And they'll be fine. 

Where to spend the money? The OL and WRs. Those positions will be priorities again in next year's draft and in free agency. Get the OL right, and anyone will be able to run behind it. 

 

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...