Jets visit with UAB running back prospect DeWayne McBride ahead of NFL Draft

On Monday, the Jets had a visit with UAB running back prospect DeWayne McBride less than two weeks before the 2023 NFL Draft. “When you look at Breece and Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter and‘ Bam’ Knight, the guys that we have in that room, we’ re really excited about the guys that we have,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said at the NFL Annual Meetings last month.

On Monday, the Jets had a visit with UAB running back prospect DeWayne McBride less than two weeks before the 2023 NFL Draft.

But is running back a position Gang Green should target April 27-29?

“When you look at Breece [Hall] and Ty Johnson, and Michael Carter and [Zonovan] ‘Bam’ Knight, the guys that we have in that room, we’re really excited about the guys that we have,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said at the NFL Annual Meetings last month.

Although the Jets selected Hall in the second round of last year’s draft, the answer is yes.

Hall tore his ACL last October in a victory at Denver. At the time, the Jets were 5-2 and looked appeared poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

However, the Jets only won two more games the rest of the way, as their offense wasn’t the same without Hall in the backfield as they finished 7-10. During their final 10 games, the Jets collectively only rushed for over 100 yards three times.

Although Hall could return to the same player that he was before his ACL injury, it might take him some time. For instance, Giants’ running back Saquon Barkley suffered an ACL injury in 2020. Barkley played in 13 games the following year but only rushed for 593 yards and two touchdowns.

It took Barkley two years for him to regain his previous Pro Bowl form, as last season, he rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns as he helped the Giants reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Many Gang Green fans will point to the dire quarterback situation with Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco and Chris Streveler all taking snaps at one point. But that wasn’t the only reason the Jets’ running game was lackluster.

Adding Aaron Rodgers will help, as he said he intends to play for the Jets next season. But one of the quarterback’s best friends is a solid running game.

Carter took a step back during his sophomore campaign. He rushed for 402 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 3.5 yards per carry in 16 games. Those numbers were down from his rookie season in 2021 when Carter finished with 639 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

Johnson and Knight are nice change-of-pace players in the backfield, but the Jets could add another player, possibly on Day 3 of the draft. That’s where McBride could potentially fit in.

McBride is a physical, athletic runner that fits well in every blocking scheme. He also has an excellent combination of size, power, and instincts at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds. During his time at UAB, McBride was one of the most productive running backs in the nation.

As a sophomore in 2021, McBride finished with 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns as he was a second-team All-Conference USA selection. He followed that up with 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns last year as he was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year.

With numbers like that, many would expect McBride to be at least a second or third-round selection. However, he comes with a few questions which have scouts concerned.

First, it’s McBride’s ball security or lack thereof, as he had eleven fumbles during his career, including two games in 2022 in which he lost two in a single game. Considering the competition in Conference USA, that could be a problem at the NFL level.

McBride is also a one-dimensional running back, as he is caught just five passes in two seasons. Still, McBride could be a solid two-down player at the next level if he works on his ball security and receiver skills.

Even if the Jets don’t select McBride, they should be in the market for some running back in the fifth or sixth round. Possible options there could include East Carolina’s Keaton Mitchell, Syracuse’s Sean Tucker, or Illinois’ Chase Brown.

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