Draft Day Trades: Jets Interested? (rumor)

[Longtimefan]

The team's running back situation is in no position to consider trading anyone. I'm convinced today's NFL requires at least two quality running backs. Sixteen games at 25-30 carries a game is too much for one back, and last season was proof positive of the need. Cartwright is not the guy I would want to step in in the event Portis or Betts goes down, and it's not likely we could trade Duckett because he's about to enter FA. With the backs we have it dosen't make sense to trade one just to go look for a replacement.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

The team's running back situation is in no position to consider trading anyone. I'm convinced today's NFL requires at least two quality running backs. Sixteen games at 25-30 carries a game is too much for one back, and last season was proof positive of the need. Cartwright is not the guy I would want to step in in the event Portis or Betts goes down, and it's not likely we could trade Duckett because he's about to enter FA. With the backs we have it dosen't make sense to trade one just to go look for a replacement.

I respectfully disagree. I know the two-back system is en vogue now because of teams like Indy and Chicago, but I don't think it's necessarily the answer for most teams. A lot of running backs don't produce when they get 10 carries a game. Betts himself said that it normally takes him about 15 snaps to get into a rhythm. Ladell Betts was not "Ladell Betts" until Portis went on IR - in fact he was in danger of getting cut two seasons ago.

Moreover, while I would love to have a backup running back who can step in and play like a Pro Bowler, you rarely get to eat your cake and eat it too. We have so many holes at other positions that I would welcome the opportunity to get a Pro Bowl defensive player (e.g., Vilma) in exchange for our backup RB. Unless Betts can play defense or Portis isn't expected to recover fully from his injuries, trading him would be a smart move.