New York Jets: 5 Realistic targets in 2019 NFL free agency
By Cory Kinnan
RB Tevin Coleman
Last offseason, the Jets brought in Isaiah Crowell as they continued to rebuild what looked like the 2016 Cleveland Browns offense as Josh McCown was already on the roster and Terrelle Pryor was signed later. However given the circumstances moving forward into the 2019 offseason, the Jets may be back in the market for another running back.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
It has been reported that New York will not be willing to spend big money on star running back Le’Veon Bell. However, Tevin Coleman is younger and looks to be about half the price that Bell is demanding. Coleman, who has been the handcuff and change-of-pace back to Devonte Freeman in Atlanta for the last four seasons, could be looking for an opportunity for a bigger role on a new team.
Given that Bilal Powell is 30 years old and is coming off of a major neck injury that has been described as potentially career ending, Coleman would give the Jets an upgrade at the running back position. Proficient in running between the tackles and catching passes out of the backfield, Coleman averaged almost five yards per carry, fell 200 yards short of the 1,000 yard mark, caught a career high 32 passes out of the backfield, and tallied a total of nine touchdowns in 2018.
In a back that has been primarily used to give Freeman a breather, whatever team that picks Coleman up this offseason could find a steal in a running back that is capable of more than what he was asked to do in Atlanta; that team could be the Jets. Expect Coleman to ask and receive a salary of somewhere between $6-8 million per year.