NY Jets: The 3 best pass-catching running backs in franchise history

Today we look back on some of the greatest pass-catching running backs in NY Jets history.

When we think about some of the greatest running backs of all time such as Walter Payton, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders, the first aspect of their game that we usually refer to is their total rushing yardage.

The Jets also boast of a Hall of Fame running back who amassed over 14,000 rushing yards in Curtis Martin. While a speedy and powerful runner can add to a well-balanced offense, another quality often tends to go unnoticed.

A running back who can not only carry the football but can also catch passes out of the backfield adds another dimension to a well-diversified offensive attack.

Some of the best all-purpose running backs in the history of the game have been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Marshall Faulk (767 receptions for 6,875 yards), LaDainian Tomlinson (663 receptions for 4,772 yards), and Marcus Allen (587 receptions for 5,411 yards) are three of the all-time pass-catching greats. Today's NFL is all about passing and the more guys that can catch the ball, the better.

Christian McCaffrey has set the standard of excellence over the last several seasons when it comes to the modern-day all-purpose running back. From 2017 to 2019, McCaffrey compiled a total of 303 receptions for 2,523 yards. Unfortunately, injuries ended his 2020 season prematurely.

Given the importance of an athletic and versatile running back, let's go back in time and take a look at three of the best pass-catching running backs in NY Jets history.

3. Richie Anderson, FB, NY Jets

Richie Anderson played his collegiate football at Penn State and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Jets. Anderson played fullback and was best known for his pass-catching ability.

In 2000, Anderson led the NFL in receptions for a running back with a total of 88 for 858 yards. He was selected to his only Pro Bowl that year and his 88 catches are still a single-season franchise record for a running back.

All told, in his 10 years playing for the Jets, Anderson accumulated 305 receptions for 2,449 yards with an average per catch of 8.0 yards. In addition, he also hauled in 10 touchdown receptions for the green and white.

During his tenure with the team, Anderson played in four playoff games and caught 10 passes for 119 yards producing an outstanding average of 11.9 yards per catch. Anderson proved to be a consistent and reliable option as a complementary running back for Curtis Martin.

The former Nittany Lion finished up his career by playing his final two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and reuniting with his former Jets coach, Bill Parcells. At the ages of 32 and 33, Anderson accumulated another combined 95 receptions for 700 yards.

Richie Anderson caught at least 25 passes in nine of his 12 seasons in the NFL and will go down as one of the greatest pass-catching fullbacks of all time. On February 2, 2006, Anderson signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a Jet.

2. Curtis Martin, RB, NY Jets

Curtis Martin was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft after playing his college football at the University of Pittsburgh.

Martin was known for his punishing style of running and for his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. He caught 89 passes for 749 yards in his three seasons at Pittsburgh.

The former Panthers running back played his first three seasons in the NFL with the Patriots before signing with the Jets. He played for Gang Green from 1998 to 2006 and was selected to five Pro Bowls.

Martin is best remembered as an elite runner who accumulated over 14,000 yards rushing during his career, but what many people tend to forget is that he was also an excellent dual-threat receiver who could beat you in multiple ways.

He tallied a total of 367 receptions during his eight years with the Jets which is tops among running backs in franchise history. The main reason Martin is not at the top of this list is that his average yards per catch are just 6.6 with a total of 2,439 receiving yards.

Martin also helped lead the Jets to the playoffs four times and in seven games caught 29 passes for 250 yards with an average of 8.6 yards per catch. His best overall season in terms of receiving was in 2000 when he caught 70 passes for 505 yards.

Curtis Martin retired after the 2006 season and entered the NY Jets Ring of Honor in 2010. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Martin will always be remembered as one of the greatest Jets of all time.

1. Freeman McNeil, RB, NY Jets

Freeman McNeil was drafted as the third overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft by the Jets. He played his college football at UCLA and over the course of four seasons was not only an outstanding ball carrier but he also caught 36 passes for 366 yards and averaged an impressive 10.2 yards per catch.

The former Bruins funning back played his entire 12-year career with the Jets from 1981 to 1992. Due to the evolution of free agency in the NFL, it is almost unheard of nowadays for a player to spend his entire career with just one team.

McNeil was selected to the Pro Bowl three times and, in 1982, was the NFL's rushing leader during the strike-shortened season. He was a versatile and complete running back who not only possessed great hands but also had the ability to gain extra yardage after the catch.

The Jackson, Mississippi native ended his Jets career with 295 receptions for 2,961 yards. Combined with his 8,074 rushing yards, the well-rounded McNeil accumulated 11,035 all-purpose yards while with the Jets.

McNeil earns the top spot overall because of his outstanding yards per catch average of 10.0 to go along with his 12 touchdown receptions. McNeil also compiled another 17 receptions for 116 yards in eight playoff games as well.

Freeman McNeil quietly established himself as one of the finest running backs in Jets history, but has always seemed to fly under the radar in terms of recognition. McNeil was a fierce competitor who always fought for extra yardage.

McNeil was inducted into the NY Jets Ring of Honor in 2011 and is arguably one of the best running backs in NFL history to not be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.