Jets Free Agency: Initial grade and analysis of Isaiah Crowell

The New York Jets decided to add a new face to their backfield as they have signed former Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell to a three-year deal.

In a somewhat surprising move, the New York Jets made their first notable free agent splash by signing 25-year old running back Isaiah Crowell Tuesday afternoon.

The former Cleveland Browns running back will join the likes of Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire in what looks to be a pretty solid backfield rotation for Gang Green. The team recently just lost the services of veteran Matt Forte who opted to call it a career just a couple weeks ago.

Being that Forte’s departure was anticipated, the Jets were expected to be in the market for a running back to replace the former Chicago Bear in the rotation. What’s surprising is the approach they took to reach the desired result.

Contract Details

The Jets signed Crowell to a three-year deal at $12 million with $6 million guaranteed.

National Reaction

Isaiah Crowell intends to sign three-year deal with Jets, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/soRlPokgUC

— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) March 13, 2018

This Isaiah Crowell signing reminds me of the Jets signing Chris Ivory a few years back. I could see around 900-1000 rush yards and 5-7 TDs.

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) March 13, 2018

#Jets agreed to terms on a three-year contract with former #Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, via @AdamSchefter.

Crowell ran for 853 yards, two touchdowns last year. Averaged 4.1 YPC.

Set career-highs in rushing yards (952) and YPC (4.8) in 2016. He’s just 25 years old

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 13, 2018

Grade

This was the most questionable signing of the day for the Jets. While Crowell is a solid, bruising tailback capable of contributing as a blocker and a pass-catcher as well, it seems like an odd pairing. For starters, the Alabama State product has never been able to establish himself as anything more than a solid rotational back, having yet to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

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With the upcoming draft class set to be very deep at running back, it seems a bit peculiar to instead look towards free agency for the solution. Especially considering the barren wasteland that usually is the running back market during the free agency period.

That being said, Crowell does bring an element of power that the Jets have desperately lacked over the past couple years. Although much of the blame for the team’s inability to run inside the tackles has been attributed to the subpar interior line play, certainly some of the criticism should fall on the lack of a powerful enough running back to burst through the middle and fight for extra yards.

Crowell is also young at just 25 years of age, making him one of the more intriguing options in this year’s free agent class. The jury is still out for this signing. If the Jets fill their holes in other areas and Crowell proves to be an adequate addition to the team’s backfield, then this move will look clever.

But as of now, this seems more like a misuse of resources than anything.

Final Grade: C