NFL Spin Zone predicts Thomas Rawls likely to be cut

NFL Spin Zone of the FanSided network believes that the one likely veteran to be cut at the end of New York Jets training camp is running back Thomas Rawls. In the grand scheme of things, they’re right due to his past history of injuries.

The running back situation of the New York Jets is indeed an interesting one. Returning this year are Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire with some new faces added in the mix. During the offseason, the Jets acquired Isaiah Crowell and Thomas Rawls to bolster their running back corps.

Of course when it comes to the running back position, having quality depth is key since, by the looks of it, the Jets will likely feature several players in a rotational role all season long. It’s unlikely the Jets will head into the upcoming season with four active running backs on the roster so it’s possible that one doesn’t make the final cut.

Ideally, the Jets are looking at Crowell to be their featured back with Powell being used on certain offensive plays that cater to his strengths. It’s no secret that while Powell has shown flashes here and there, he hasn’t found his niche on offense due to injuries or a lack of focus for the running game.

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New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates will likely fix this issue by having a balanced offensive playbook that is mostly focused on the West Coast Offense but with a commitment to establish the run consistently. Crowell will likely be the player that sets the tone with Powell being used as a hybrid player that can do damage on the ground or air with McGuire being used mostly as a rusher.

Where does that leave Rawls? Health has been a major concern with him as he’s been dealing with injuries over the past two years due to the power-running style he brings to the table. At the end of the day, if he doesn’t prove his worth during training camp consistently, he will end up as a roster cut.

In an article written by Randy Gurzi of NFL Spin Zone, here is why he also believes Rawls will likely be the veteran cut by the Jets at the end of training camp:

A broken leg in 2016 ended his season, but Rawls wasn’t on the same tear. He was averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and was even worse with just 2.7 yards once he got back on the field in 2017. Now he will be fighting for a job with the Jets and it can go from him being their starter, to him being unemployed.

The Jets have a very good running back corps heading into training camp as all positions are up for grabs but Rawls has quite the battle ahead to deliver results worthy of the team keeping him around. It won’t be easy but it all comes down to if he can stay healthy all summer long and consistently do big things when the football is in his hands.