Was Josh Adams’ small-sample Jets success for real? (Film)

It would usually be foolish to buy any stock in a player based on a season in which he stepped on the field for a measly 75 snaps – which is roughly two games’ worth for the typical starting NFL running back – but Josh Adams is a unique case. He was so good over his tiny sample of opportunities with the New York Jets that he has himself at the forefront of the team’s running back competition despite barely touching the football last year. Adams carried the rock 29 times for the Jets in 2020 and made those chances count as he picked up 154 yards and 10 conversions (2 TDs, 8 first downs). His average of 5.4 yards per carry ranked sixth-best out of the league’s 96 running backs with at least 25 carries. Notably, Adams blew the production of his teammates out of the water. He had the same number of touchdowns (2) and runs for 10+ yards (5) as La’Mical Perine on less than half as many carries (29 vs. 64). Adams had the same number of runs for 15+ yards (2) as Frank Gore on 158 fewer carries. Even compared to Ty J