Trenton Cannon emerges as an explosive third-down back
The Jets didn’t have a lot of clarity in their running back stable last year, and that hasn’t yet changed in 2018. The team acquired Isaiah Crowell and Thomas Rawls via free agency, both of whom are known quantities: Decent workhorse backs with little game-changing ability.
Elijah McGuire was a pleasant surprise for the Jets in 2017, providing some excitement, and of course, Bilal Powell is still in the wings, providing value as a solid and versatile utility back. But the Jets need a little more burst from their running back group. They need someone they can rely on as a spark plug. That’s where fifth-round rookie Trenton Cannon might come in.
His last name is amusingly fitting, but Cannon’s traits also perfectly fit a third-down role in Jeremy Bates’ Jets offense. In Darryl Slater’s Stock Reports on nj.com, Cannon was regularly described as quick and shifty, and with Elijah McGuire nursing an injury, Cannon has stepped up and shown off his ability in the backfield.
With a rookie quarterback in Sam Darnold, and a less-than-superb offensive line unit, the Jets will need a quick back to get open in the flat as a safety valve. With his quickness, Cannon matches up well against linebackers, and he could emerge as an explosive third-down / receiving weapon for Darnold. He has the sheer speed to pull it off.
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