NY Jets 2021 Training Camp State of the Roster: Running backs

How did the NY Jets running backs perform in 2020?

Of this group, the most productive back was certainly Carter, even considering he played at the collegiate level.

Carter was a productive back at UNC during his first three years, but exploded in 2020 with 1,512 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns.

He averaged a jaw-dropping 8.0 yards per carry on over 150 carries, while also notching over 100 rushing and receiving yards per game.

Carter, who measured in at 5-foot-8 tall and 201 pounds at the NFL Combine, has an exciting blend of speed, power, and quickness. Combine that with his above-average receiving ability, and you have a prototypical modern-day NFL running back.

Coleman's 2020 campaign was sub-par, headlined by a woeful 1.9 yards per carry on just 28 carries before a knee injury ended his season prematurely.

It seems like his best days are behind him, as the Illinois native struggled to produce whatsoever this past season.

Of the backs listed here, Johnson had the best 2020 NFL season, notching 382 yards from scrimmage and 4.7 yards per carry in 11 games.

In the one game he started, Johnson proved capable of handling a significant role, rushing for 104 yards on 22 carries against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13.

He also proved reliable against New England in Week 17, again posting above four yards per carry and 68 yards from scrimmage.

Still, the sample size is small and Johnson is not to be trusted with a crucial role on this offense just yet.

Finally, Perine proved disappointing last year as a rookie, posting just 3.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns in 10 games played.

Overall, I would give this group a 6.0, as I did for the quarterbacks. The only player here with meaningful NFL experience is Coleman, who saw little to no success last year as a rusher.

Additionally, while Carter does have potential to become the bell-cow back given his traits, his fourth-round rookie status should cause fans to temper their expectations.