New York Jets: Stay or Go, Bilal Powell Edition

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker

Avery Williamson

(54) tackles New York Jets running back

Bilal Powell

(29) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Good evening Jets fans. Time for another edition of “Stay or Go”. So far, we have reviewed some of the higher paid players on the roster, such as Percy Harvin, David Harris and Michael Vick. Now we are going to take it in a different direction. Tonight, we are looking at a player that has made a very reasonable salary, performs well when used, and is a fan favorite.

We are talking about Bilal Powell. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Next: Career Stats

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s look at Powell’s career stats to date:

RUSHING

Year

Team

Att

Att/G

Yds

Avg

Yds/G

Lng

1st

1st%

20+

40+

FUM

2014

New York Jets

2.2

141

4.3

9.4

21.2

2013

New York Jets

176

11.0

697

4.0

43.6

19.9

2012

New York Jets

110

7.9

437

4.0

31.2

20.9

2011

New York Jets

6.5

1.6

10.5

0.0

TOTAL

332

7.1

1,296

3.9

27.6

19.6

RECEIVING

Year

Team

Rec

Yds

Avg

Yds/G

Lng

20+

40+

1st

FUM

2014

New York Jets

8.4

6.1

2013

New York Jets

272

7.6

17.0

2012

New York Jets

140

8.2

10.0

2011

New York Jets

7.0

3.5

TOTAL

511

7.9

10.9

Bilal Powell is a versatile player, who does a good job in all aspects of the game. Much like any other running back, the more often he touched the football, the better he performed. In 2013, he rushed for 697 yards on 176 carries. As a secondary player, he comes in and does the job.

Powell’s ability in the receiving game makes him a terrific complement to Chris Ivory. In four seasons, Powell has caught 65 passes, while Ivory has only caught 23 passes in five years in the league. His ability balances out Chris Ivory’s ability to create a lethal tandem.

Next: The Financials

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs past Cleveland Browns inside linebacker

Craig Robertson

(53) in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Bilal Powell has finished his rookie contract, so he hasn’t made a lot so far. Powell made an average salary of $610,125. He got a raise in 2014, where he made just over $1.5 million.

Even with a raise from his rookie contract number, Powell is not likely to garner a big number in free agency. For his career, he has been a backup running back, and to stay it wouldn’t cost much more than $1.5 million to keep him with the Jets.

Next: The Alternative

Aug 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) hands off to New York Jets running back

Daryl Richardson

(35) during game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

What happens if Chris Ivory goes down with a serious injury? Chris Johnson is not likely to be back in 2015. So, the reigns get turned over to Bilal Powell. Do we know if Powell can take over and run the rock 25 times per game? I don’t know if we do. It may be due to the fact he hasn’t had the chance, but we really don’t know if Powell is good enough to get the job done, full-time, if called upon.