NFL Preview: Breaking down the 2015 New York Jets

Running Back

Starters: Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley,

Depth: Zac Stacy, Bilal Powell, Daryl Richardson, Tommy Bohanon, J.C. Copeland

Chris Ivory returns as the Jets’ starting running back, but he’s on a slippery ledge. Ivory isn’t dealing with the front office that brought him in, rather he’s facing one that brought in a bunch of other backs to compete with him. Never a good sign for a guy’s chances on a roster.

At least in terms of Stevan Ridley, Ivory is competing against a player fresh off of ACL surgery. The two are very similar backs – guys who can carry a full load as well as make those third down, short-yardage carries the Jets need. Ridley has had a fumbling problem in the past, and both backs have had some injury issues. Ivory has the edge because he’s somewhat useful on passing downs, but neither of these guys has a lock on the starting job for anything more than the start of camp.

The trade for Zac Stacy made things in the backfield even foggier. Stacy was very unhappy when the St. Louis Rams drafted Todd Gurley in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, but things aren’t any better in New York. Just like Ivory and Ridley, Stacy is primarily a power back, though he has a few things going in his favor. He’s younger than both Ivory and Ridley and he’s not returning from a big injury like latter. He also isn’t a holdover from the former regime like Ivory. In fact, that the new front office went after Stacy is a good sign.

Observing the scrum is Bilal Powell, whose job might not be 100 percent secure but can rest easy knowing nobody on the roster can fit the utility back role he can function in. While not a big-play running back or a guy with an especially high ceiling, Powell is a solid backup who can do multiple things on any down. He’s unlikely to get a ton of snaps but he can get plugged in and produce.

On the short end of the stick is Daryl Richardson, who finds himself on the roster bubble He was cut last August and ended up on the practice squad before returning later.

Tommy Bohanon and J.C. Copeland are both fullbacks who carry an aggressive, hard-nosed style in their blocking duties.

Overall this is a solid, but crowded group. Too many backs do the same thing, so some of these guys are getting cut. If Stacy and Powell avoid embarrassing themselves in camp, they should remain on the roster, leaving Ridley, Ivory and Richardson to battle it out. The Jets could keep four running backs, but that seems excessive.

Next: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends