Jets 2017 Roster Breakdown: Bilal Powell Finally Gets to Be the Guy

Our Jets roster countdown now takes a look at Bilal Powell.

Name: Bilal Powell

Number: 29

Year with Jets: 7th

Projected Role: Number one running back

His 2016: Powell picked up right where he left off after his strong end to 2015. In limited touches, he looked explosive, much more than Matt Forte did. Unfortunately for Powell, the coaches saw it a different way. He had to wait for a late season injury to Forte to finally get the lion’s share of touches. He responded with over 100 yards from scrimmage in 3 of the last 4 games. He also averaged at least 5 yards per run in 3 of those 4 games.

2017 will be a success if: Powell can handle being the main man in the backfield. It is one thing to produce for a handful of games or look explosive in limited touches. Doing so after taking a big pounding game after game is a different matter. After seven long years, it seems like Powell will finally get his chance. The Jets have seemed motivated to prevent him from getting it. It seems like close to every year they have brought in a back to reduce his touches. Sometimes it has been worth it (Chris Ivory). Other times it hasn’t (Chris Johnson, Matt Forte). Now we will see what Powell can do.

Odds of making the roster: Lock (>99%)