New York Jets: Three first round draft options not at quarterback

Saquon Barkley

Anyone see the Jets running game last year? If you did you had better show me because I missed it. For the majority of the 2017 season, aside from basically the Jacksonville game, the running game was conspicuously MIA. The Jets couldn’t run the ball for anything. Last year they were ranked 19th in the league with a mere 106.4 yards per game. Any quarterback will look better with a solid running game.

What if the Jets found a way to get this guy? Saquon Barkley is, by far, the highest-touted running back in this draft class. Barkley would be one of the few guys left in the league that is a true workhorse back. He averaged over 17 carries per game during three years with Penn State, and aside from his first game, carried the ball less than 10 times only twice. He is a guy that could lead the running attack and move both Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire back into situational roles.

By the way, he also nearly averaged six yards per carry for his entire college career.

Barkley ran for over 1,000 yards in each of his three college seasons. He also played well in the big games. In two out of three bowl games, he posted 100+ yard performances showing he can shine with the spotlight on him. He’s strong and elusive. He has all the makings of a special back. Lance Zierlein compared him to Barry Sanders which is a bit presumptuous but the point is taken.

They may have to trade up to get him, but why not? If you already have the quarterback and still have the resources, go for it!