New York Jets Chris Ivory, Matt Forte Land On NFL Top-100 List
The New York Jets have two players on the NFL Top-100 List of 2016 thus far, with running backs Chris Ivory and Matt Forte landing in the first 30 names revealed.
The New York Jets fell just short of a postseason berth in 2015 despite finishing with a 10-6 record. Despite missing the playoffs, it was a successful season on many levels for the Jets winning 10 games. But to win 10 games, there has to be talent on the roster.
One of the positions on the team that the Jets received great production from was their running back spot. Their offense was humming when their running backs, namely Chris Ivory, were playing well.
Ivory was the true lead back for the first time in his career in 2015 and he made the most of the opportunity. Ivory had a career year, carrying the ball 247 times for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for 50 first downs, which were all career highs. He also turned in career highs as a receiver, catching 30 passes for 217 yards and one touchdown.
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That performance was good enough to land Ivory on NFL Top-100 Players List of 2016. Ivory came in at number 78 after being unranked last season. That also made Ivory a sought after free agent, as he hit the open market coming off his career season.
With the Jets cap strapped and without much money to spend, Ivory left as a free agent signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jets acted fast though, as they signed Matt Forte, formally of the Chicago Bears, to replace Ivory. It was a solid replacement, as Forte has had a productive career with the Bears, and also landed on the NFL Top-100 Players List of 2016.
Forte comes in a little lower than Ivory in the 90th spot. It is a drop from where he was in 2015, when he was ranked 42nd, but he is a fine fit for the Jets offense. Unlike Ivory, who was more of a battering ram on first and second down, Forte is capable of playing all three downs and doesn’t have to come off the field.
At 30-years old Forte is unlikely to be a workhorse running back, but he is capable of carrying the load if that is what the Jets decide to do. Forte is a true dual threat out of the backfield, as he is as strong a receiver out of the backfield as he is carrying the ball on run plays. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of his eight seasons in the NFL, never rushing for less than 898.
He also added a 100-catch season in 2015, which showcases his dual threat abilities. He has at least 44 receptions in every season of his career as well, so there is some wear and tear on those treads, but Forte should bring an added dimension to the Jets’ offense this season.
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With only the first 30 players on the list revealed, there is 70 players remaining. There is a good chance that the Jets will find more of their players in that bunch as well, as guys like Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and the departed Damon Harrison could all see their name revealed.