The Jets did not draft any running backs, but they secured one at the end of the draft Saturday.
The team made a trade with the Rams for Zac Stacy, sending a seventh-round pick to St. Louis for the back. Stacy asked for a trade after the Rams took back Todd Gurley in the first round on Thursday.
“At that point in the draft we were weighing some of the players we were considering drafting and what they potentially would bring to the organization,” Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said. “We thought the idea of bringing Zac in for that kind of investment would be very beneficial and increase the competition at that position. … We do think he’s a good caliber running back to throw into our backfield to make that position much more competitive.”
Stacy ran for 973 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2013, but saw his production and playing time drop off last year, when Tre Mason came to St. Louis. Stacy rushed for 293 yards and one touchdown last season.
Stacy, 24, joins a crowded backfield with the Jets. They already have Chris Ivory, Stevan Ridley and Bilal Powell. Ridley is recovering from ACL surgery and may not be back until training camp.