NY Jets: La’Mical Perine could be the future of the team’s backfield

La’Mical Perine could be in the NY Jets backfield for years to come if he impresses in his rookie year.

The NY Jets backfield is crowded but poised for a better year in 2020. After a down year from Le’Veon Bell who rushed for just 789 yards and three touchdowns, fans are optimistic that the three-time Pro Bowler will have a bounce-back year.

Right behind Bell is the NFL’s third all-time leading rusher Frank Gore, back-of-the-roster players in Josh Adams and Kenneth Dixon, and La’Mical Perine who was selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Perine has a chance to make an impact in his first year with the team.

Perine was a part of an offense at Florida where it was a running back by committee. But during his college days, Perine had a total of 2,485 yards rushing with 22 touchdowns.

He was also utilized a lot in the Gators’ passing game where he hauled in 72 receptions for 674 yards and eight touchdowns throughout his four-year college career.

The question is can La’Mical Perine be apart of the Jets backfield beyond 2020? I believe that he can.

How can La’Mical Perine establish himself as the NY Jets’ running back of the future?

Perine had an impressive four years at Florida especially in 2019 when he ran for a total of 676 yards and six touchdowns and was a big contributor in Florida’s Orange Bowl victory behind an offensive line that was ranked a lowly 92nd in the country per Pro Football Focus.

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Perine is an old-school power back who isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and run through defenders. I wouldn’t consider him to be a specialist, but Perine shines in goal-line situations because of his downhill running style and sheer toughness.

He’s been criticized by scouts in the past for his lack of elusiveness. But, he shouldn’t be crushed for not being an elusive back, that’s just not his style of play.

Perine is a power back who is exceptional in both the passing game catching balls out of the backfield and is solid in pass blocking out of the backfield.

But in order to keep a spot on the team, he will have to prove it this season. He will be behind Bell and Gore but don’t be surprised to see Perine have a role in Adam Gase’s offense as a short-yardage back who will be used in third and one and goal-line situations.

With Bell’s future with the team up in the air and Frank Gore only signing a one-year contract, Perine has a chance to make an early impression and possibly become the Jets next starting running back for the future.