Ezekiel Elliott and 5 free-agent running backs the NY Jets could sign

2. The NY Jets could sign J.K. Dobbins

Few players have been as snakebitten with injuries over the last few years as J.K. Dobbins. The former second-round pick burst onto the scene as a rookie, leading all running backs with 6.0 yards per carry in his first NFL season.

That has proved to be the peak of Dobbins' career to this point. A torn ACL suffered in the final preseason game of 2021 sidelined him for the entire year, and he would go on to play in just eight games in 2022 as a result of another knee injury.

The hope was that Dobbins would return healthy in 2023 after another year of rehab. Unfortunately, the Ohio State product suffered a torn Achilles in the first game of the season, another devastating season-ending injury.

It's hard to know what Dobbins even has left in the tank at this point, but he reportedly grew quite close with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers over the last few months as the two spent time rehabbing together.

That alone makes him a logical buy-low target for the Jets.

1. The NY Jets could sign Ezekiel Elliott

Many Jets fans might have some form of PTSD when it comes to aging former Pro Bowl running backs after what happened with Dalvin Cook last year, but there are reasons to believe Ezekiel Elliott is a different situation.

Elliott clearly isn't the All-Pro talent he used to be, but that doesn't mean he can't still fill a valuable role for the Jets. The eight-year veteran remains an effective short-yardage and third-down back.

Elliott is a reliable pass catcher, dropping just two of his 65 targets last season. He's also a quality pass blocker and someone who can grind out tough yards between the tackles. That's the exact type of running back the Jets should be looking for.

Elliott complements Breece Hall's skill set in a way Cook never did, and while his efficiency numbers have definitely declined, he's still someone who can fill a role in the Jets' offense for the right price.