4. Re-Sign RB Bilal Powell to a multi-year deal
I am purposely placing re-signing Bilal Powell ahead of re-signing Damon Harrison on this list because if the New York Jets are going to make the playoffs and compete in the next three years, it’s going to be because they had playmakers on offense, NOT because they have a run-stuffing nose tackle.
After nearly following Rex Ryan to Buffalo this off-season, Bilal Powell re-signed with the Jets on a one-year deal and made the most of the contract year.
Powell had 701 total yards on 117 touches (70 rushes, 47 catches) and served as the perfect explosive spell back for the bruising Chris Ivory. He was a godsend for the Jets on third downs and on passing downs in general, giving Fitzpatrick a shifty check-down option on every play.
It may sound crazy but should a team offer Chris Ivory a ridiculous amount of guaranteed money to leave New York, it might be in the Jets best interest to let him walk and re-sign Powell as the number one guy.
He’s similar to Ivory in that when he’s healthy he attacks the running lanes with ferocity, so it wouldn’t be much of a downgrade.
Powell’s not going to get a contract worth more than three or four million per year however, and so it’s likely the team finds a way to re-sign both players. But if this were a situation in which Maccagnan had to choose, the better option may be to keep Powell and let Ivory go.
