The New York Jets have never had a solid running game. The pass-first team is looking to get more balanced on offense in an effort to take pressure off quarterback Mark Sanchez. The team is likely letting go of current running back Shonn Greene and will need to fill the roster spot. New York is rumored to be showing interest in Dallas Cowboys' running back Felix Jones.
25-year old Jones has never been a starter, but could handle a large workload. He has relatively fresh legs for five years in the league because he has never been asked to do much while in Dallas. He has only carried the ball 569 times, with an average of well under 200 carries per year. He has a career average of 4.8 yards per carry and excels in yards after contract.
Jones has also proven to be versatile in the position. Over his career, he has averaged 25 receptions per year. In 2010, he had 48 catches for 450 yards. With his quickness and ability to shake off tacklers, he could be a deadly weapon for the Jets.
While Jones' stats are not better than Greene's, the Jets are not bringing Greene back, so anyone is option. Greene rushed for 1,063 yards in 2012, averaging 3.9 yards per carry and eight touchdowns. However he only had 19 receptions. He does not offer as much versatility as Jones.
Jones will not command a top dollar contract. His numbers in 2012 were average at best, delivering only 3.6 yards per carry, but he is young and working up to his prime. He does not have stats that will blow any team away so the Jets could grab him at a decent price that will not hurt their salary cap.
Jones already has a connection with the Jets. Quarterbacks coach David Lee was a coach at Arkansas where Jones played in college. Current Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg loves to get the ball out in space to the running back which is something Jones will excel at.
The Jets have enough to worry about in the quarterback position. Jones would be an easy and cost-effective pickup.
