Can Isaiah Crowell be a viable starter for the Jets in 2018?

The New York Jets are hoping that running back Isaiah Crowell can be a pleasant surprise this upcoming season. Can he be a viable starter that gets the job done?

When it comes to the running back situation of the New York Jets, they’ve added a few new faces to the mix this offseason. Returning are Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire who figure to be in the bulk of plans at running back. Besides those two, the Jets went to work in adding even more talent to their backfield.

Via free agency, the Jets acquired Isaiah Crowell and Thomas Rawls. In the 2018 NFL Draft, they selected Trenton Cannon in Round 6. Expect to see the Jets have a competition in training camp to sort out the depth chart but can Crowell step up and emerge as the No. 1 running back?

Ideally, Crowell is more of a power runner that also has good speed on him to get through to the second level of an opposing defense. He put in a lot of work in his four years with the Cleveland Browns and was usually one of the brighter spots on a losing team.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

In his tenure with the Browns, Crowell totaled 3,118 rushing yards, 737 rushes, and 21 touchdowns. As a receiving threat out of the backfield, Crowell totaled 770 receiving yards, 96 receptions, and one touchdown.

Crowell has the skill-set to beat out those around him in the positional group thanks to everything he brings to the table. He’s an every-down running back capable of keeping those chains moving while also been a threat to take it to the house.

From converting key 3rd and short conversions to plowing through defenders, Crowell could turn into a pleasant surprise for the Jets. If he can prove his worth in training camp, it’s easy to see him earn the starting position due to his skill-set and the fact that he’s been pretty healthy throughout his career.

With a better group of players around him and a reunion of sorts with former members of the Browns in Josh McCown and Terrelle Pryor from the past, expect to see Crowell surprise many this upcoming season. He can provide a nice consistent spark from a positional group that tends to get faded out as the season progresses.