NY Jets 'will sign a veteran RB' according to key NFL insider

The NY Jets have made quite a few notable additions in free agency and via the trade market this offseason, and even as we approach the 2024 NFL Draft, their work doesn't seem to be done just yet.

ESPN's Rich Cimini made an appearance on the TOJ Podcast with Will Parkinson on Friday, and he revealed that the Jets "will sign a veteran running back" at some point in the near future. Cimini essentially guaranteed it, saying "You can count on that."

While Cimini wasn't sure when the signing would occur, he made it clear that he 100 percent believes it will happen. The Jets currently have Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda penciled in as their top two running backs, but the expectation is that they will add to their running back room.

Hall has emerged as a true superstar and the focal point of the Jets' offense. While the Jets still believe in Abanikanda's potential, he showed nothing as a rookie that indicates he's ready for a much larger role in 2024.

Which veteran running back will the NY Jets sign?

The free-agent running back market has thinned out since the start of the offseason, but there are still a few notable names available.

Some of the more prominent free-agent running backs include Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, Rashaad Penny, Latavius Murray, Matt Breida, and Jerick McKinnon. Elliott, Dobbins, and Penny stand out as three of the most intriguing and likely additions for the Jets.

Dobbins has had his career derailed by injuries to this point and it's worth wondering how much he has left in the tank, but the former second-round pick rehabbed his torn Achilles with Aaron Rodgers this past season, giving him a connection to the team.

Penny was one of the most efficient running backs in football with the Seattle Seahawks, but he too saw his career derailed by the injury bug. He never got a real opportunity in Philadelphia last year, but he proved in Seattle he can be a very effective running back when healthy.

Elliott is the most high-profile name still on the market, and there are reasons to believe he would be a good fit with the Jets. While the former All-Pro is a shell of his old self, he can still be effective as a short-yardage, third-down back who doubles as a reliable pass blocker and pass catcher.

That's the exact role the Jets should be looking to fill. The Jets made it clear last year that they don't trust Abanikanda in pass protection yet, and he also struggled with ball security issues.

Elliott is a much better complement to Hall and Abanikanda than Dalvin Cook ever was, so even though his efficiency has clearly declined, he could still provide value that Cook never did.

Either way, the Jets seem very likely to sign a veteran running back at some point. Perhaps that player will be Elliott.