Who would have ever thought that a soon-to-be 37-year-old running back would sign a free-agent contract this NFL offseason before two former No. 1 overall picks in Cam Newton and Jadeveon Clowney? That happened Tuesday, though, as the New York Jets inked Frank Gore to a one-year deal to serve as the No. 2 to Le'Veon Bell. That's not good news for anyone who wagered on Lamical Perine priced +5000 on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Gore has never been considered a historically good tailback but has been around so long that he ranks third in NFL history with 15,347 rushing yards, behind Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (16,726) and Emmitt Smith (18,355). Last year, Gore was in a timeshare in Buffalo with rookie Devin Singletary and rushed 166 times for 599 yards and two scores while adding 13 catches.
Gore reunites with Jets coach Adam Gase as when Gase was coach of the Dolphins, Gore put up a team-best 722 yards rushing in 2018. Gase reportedly tried signing Gore before last offseason before ex-Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan gave big money to Bell (amid rumors Gase didn't want Bell and still doesn't).
ESPN had reported Monday that Gase said wanted to "maybe lessen the load on (Bell) to where it's not all on him." Last year, Bell had a combined 311 rushes and receptions, eighth in the NFL. SportsLine fantasy experts project Gore to get 30 percent of all Jets carries this season and finish with 107 carries for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
Thus, this means Perine will get very limited action barring injury to Bell/Gore. Perine was the No. 120 overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida, the first of three fourth-round picks by the Jets. He's not especially fast in having run a 4.62 40-yard dash but is a physical back at 5-foot-11, 216 pounds and can catch the ball as evidenced by his 40 catches in 2019 for the Gators.
The Jets also have tailback Josh Adams on the roster. He was decent with the Eagles in 2018. New York has an Over-Under win total of 6.5 this season at William Hill.
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