The New York Jets are evaluating their running back roster as they prepare for the upcoming season, seeking a premier player since Thomas Jones' departure in 2009. Key players include Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley, Bilal Powell, Zac Stacy, and Daryl Richardson, each with varying levels of success and opportunities to secure a roster spot. The competition among these backs, especially with Ridley aiming to regain his past form, could lead to tough decisions for the Jets before the season begins.

1. New York Jets Battle
At Running Back
Matthew Hull

2. New York Jets
• Since Thomas Jones left the New York Jets following
the 2009 season, the Jets have not had a premier
featured running back
• While it looks to be the case again for this coming
season, the Jets do have many running backs on the
roster, some of which are fighting for a roster spot
• Let’s take a look at who’s on the roster and where
they stand currently as we head closer to the start of
the new season

3. Chris Ivory
• Ivory came from a small school,
Tiffin, but made his mark as an
undrafted free agent with the
New Orleans Saints
• Ivory signed with the Jets and
has ran for 1,654 yards and 9
touchdowns in a running back
by committee role over the
course of two years
• He has shown great signs and
figures to be a lock to make the
roster

4. Stevan Ridley
• Ridley was a 3rd round pick by the New
England Patriots out of LSU in 2011
• He had a breakout year in 2012 rushing
for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns but
has not been nearly successful since
• A frequent visitor of Bill Belichick’s dog
house and coming off a season in
which Ridley tore his ACL, Ridley was
not brought back by the Patriots and
signed with the Jets
• He has had fumbling issues but if he
can show the Jets any sign of his 2012
form, he’ll likely make the team

5. Bilal Powell
• Powell was a 4th round pick by the
Jets in 2011 and has done enough
for the Jets to bring him back
following the expiration of his rookie
contract
• While he’s not particularly fast or
big, Powell has shown that he can
get the job done
• He also possesses good hands and
has frequently been the Jets third
down back
• Jets like him enough to at least
keep him as their 3rd running back

6. Zac Stacy
• Stacy was a 2013 5th round selection by
the St. Louis Rams
• Forced into action, Stacy had himself a
pretty good rookie year rushing for 973
yards and 7 touchdowns
• However, he ran for the nearly 1,000
yards on an underwhelming 3.9 yards per
carry clip
• Stacy was ultimately phased out of the
offense last year and found himself with
the Jets via a draft day trade
• It’s an outside chance he makes it but if
he can perform in the preseason the Jets
will certainly have some tough decisions
to make

7. Daryl Richardson
• Richardson also came to the
Jets from the Rams last year
after minimal success in St.
Louis
• He did not see any carries last
year with the Jets and his days
appear to be numbered
• Richardson is still just 23 years
old so if he has something to
show, now is the time to do it