NFL free agency update: Jets sign Thomas Rawls
After coming into the offseason with around 90 million in cap space, the Jets haven’t been shy to use it, now adding Thomas Rawls to their offensive depth.
Everybody said that this year, the Jets had to get a quarterback. They were hoping it was Kirk Cousins. Proven quarterbacks aren’t free agents often, and rarely can they be afforded when they are. The Jets had the cap room to do it, but he ultimately ended up in Minnesota.
Since then, the Jets have improved the defense, notably bringing in Trumaine Johnson and Avery Williamson. After ignoring their offense for a while, they took a 1 year, 4.5 million dollar chance on Terrelle Pryor and it seems Thomas Rawls is getting the same treatment.
Rawls had an outstanding rookie season, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and finishing with over 900 yards from scrimmage in 13 games and 7 starts. Since then, his career has been derailed by injuries and mini-explosions from other members of the Seahawks backfield.
Contract Details
.@nyjets sign former Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls (@TRawls810): https://t.co/mEmvHuTsgz pic.twitter.com/6AsDInjNhk
— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2018
Contract details are yet to be announced, as was the case for the Jets with Pryor once it was announced they had agreed to a deal.
National Reaction
#Jets’ RB room:
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) March 30, 2018
(7): Bilal Powell, Isaiah Crowell, Elijah McGuire, Thomas Rawls, Jahad Thomas, Jeremy Langford, Akeem Judd
The world sees the crowded Jets running back room. After the three-headed monster of Bilal Powell, Matt Forte, and Elijah McGuire worked decently last season, we seemed headed for something similar once Isaiah Crowell was signed. Rawls just adds to the competition, which Coach Bowles said he wanted at every position. It will be interesting to see how many first-team reps each one gets.
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Grade
This move feels like the Jets knowing they have cap space and using it. They know they are able to take chances on different players this year and that is exactly what Rawls is. It feels like the Jets don’t appreciate Bilal Powell for what he is, as he has never gotten a chance to be the lone lead back. However, his contract expires next year, so the Jets may use this competition to pick their running back for the future. This deal feels like it is just solid, nothing more, nothing less.