The Jets let Bilal Powell know how they felt about him by signing him to a three-year, $11.25 million contract in free agency. Powell is one of the few holdovers left from the Mike Tannenbaum era. Powell’s ability to stick with the Jets through three general managers and four offensive coordinators shows how valued he is.
The Jets revamped their running back corps this offseason, but Powell remains in the middle of it. It will be interesting to see how Gailey divides up the carries between Powell and Matt Forte, who arrives with a great reputation and resume. Powell complemented former Jets running back Chris Ivory, who was more of a bruising back than he is, but Powell and Forte have similar skill sets, so this could be a trickier division of labor for Gailey.
You can count on Powell getting major touches this season, though. Gailey will figure out a way.
Powell's role is one of the things weighing down Matt Forte's ADP. Since the two have similar skill sets, Powell could eat into Forte's catches with Khiry Robinson getting some of the between-the-tackles if Forte doesn't improve in that area.