NFL

Bilal Powell won’t be the forgotten man in Jets backfield

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 21: Bilal Powell

Last year’s ranking: 19

Position: Running back

Age: 25

How acquired: Selected in the fourth round of the 2011 Draft

Years left on contract: 1

2014 salary cap figure: $1.5 million

Looking back at 2013: Powell had a strong start to the season before having his role reduced later in the year. He rushed for 697 yards on 176 carries and scored one touchdown.

Powell’s best game came in Week 3 against the Bills when he had 149 yards rushing. Powell seemed to get worn down as the season went on, possibly because the Jets overused him in training camp when they did not have many healthy backs.

As the season wore on, Powell saw his playing time dwindle partly because of his struggles and also because of the emergence of a healthy Chris Ivory.

In his three years with the Jets, Powell has proven to be a durable, versatile option. He is not a Pro Bowl running back, but he is an effective member of a rotation.

Outlook for 2014: The Jets have a crowded backfield entering the 2014 season. In addition to Ivory and Powell, they signed Chris Johnson and also picked up Daryl Richardson. It will be interesting to see where Powell fits in.

Powell has a funny way of being the last running back standing, and it could happen again this year. Johnson is coming off knee surgery, and Ivory has battled injuries throughout his career. Powell’s best trait is his durability.

The Jets used Powell in a variety of ways last year and that is expected to continue. He showed he could run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield and even run the wildcat. Johnson and Ivory will be the headliners, but expect Powell to see plenty of playing time, too.