By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

As the Jets prepare for training camp, we are previewing each of their positions. We started with wide receivers. Now, let's examine the running backs, including Bilal Powell, Isaiah Crowell, and Eli McGuire.

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AP Photo

The Jets signed Crowell in free agency this offseason.

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HOW DID THIS GROUP PERFORM LAST YEAR?

Matt Forte looked finished, as he battled a chronic knee issue. And sure enough, he retired after the season. He had 381 rushing yards and two touchdowns last year, plus 293 receiving yards and one touchdown. Powell was the Jets' top rusher — 178 carries, 772 yards, and five touchdowns, plus 170 receiving yards. Forte carried just 103 times.

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WHO IS THE STAR FOR 2018?

With Forte gone, that's a big question for the Jets. Will Powell or free-agent pickup Isaiah Crowell be their No. 1 back? How will the Jets split the roles and workload between these two? Are both capable of playing on third-down. We know Powell is. Perhaps new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates will use Powell in the passing game more this season. He had just 23 catches last year, compared to 58 in 2016.

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WHAT DOES SUPPORTING CAST LOOK LIKE?

Second-year pro Eli McGuire has drawn a comparison (from his position coach) to LaDainian Tomlinson. Which ... OK. McGuire is third on the depth chart right now. But he could provide something of a spark as a third-down back. Last year, McGuire had 88 carries for 315 yards and a touchdown. He still has a long way to go.

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Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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WHO IS ON ROSTER BUBBLE?

Dimitri Flowers (an intriguing undrafted rookie) and Lawrence Thomas will battle for the fullback job. It would be a stunner if the Jets kept both players. Rookie Trenton Cannon is battling for the return jobs, and if he doesn't get them, maybe the Jets could squeeze him onto the practice squad. Thomas Rawls will probably be the odd man out in the running back room. Of the five tailbacks, he is the longest shot to make the roster.

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ONE BIG STORYLINE

The Jets' biggest running back storyline, overall, is whether they can get more production from the position. Partly due to their bad offensive line, the Jets struggled to run the ball last year. Forte's situation didn't help. He was clearly done. A Crowell/Powell duo should be more productive. The Jets finished last year 19th in rushing yards per game. Not good enough.

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ANOTHER BIG STORYLINE

Besides the overall production of the running game, and whether Crowell or Powell has a bigger workload, McGuire's situation is another interesting storyline to watch. Obviously, the Jets really like him. Or running backs coach Stump Mitchell does, at least. But what kind of role can McGuire find, with Crowell and Powell ahead of him? Powell is entering the final year of his contract, and the Jets could cut Crowell after this year ($3 million in salary cap savings, with $2 million in dead money attached).

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POSSIBLE RISING STAR

Because of the nature of Powell's and Crowell's situations, McGuire could find himself being a rising star if he is able to take advantage of his opportunities this year. The Jets have some contract/salary cap flexibility at this position. Maybe they see enough from McGuire this season that they want to ditch Powell and Crowell, and build a backfield around McGuire. Again, McGuire has a lot to show before we get to that point.

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Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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POTENTIAL SURPRISE

Keep an eye on Flowers. If the Jets keep him over Thomas at fullback, Flowers gives the Jets some athleticism at the position that Thomas doesn't. Thomas is more of a power fullback. Flowers, though, was involved in Oklahoma's offense last season. He had 26 catches for 464 yards and five touchdowns. He is a skilled player.

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ANY INJURY CONCERNS?

Nothing major in the Jets' backfield as they prepare for training camp. Powell has dealt with nagging injuries in recent years, but nothing major. He turns 30 in October, so how will his body hold up in Year 8? The past six years, he has played in 15, 16, 11, 15, 16, and 14 games. Not too bad.

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IS POSITION BETTER OR WORSE THAN LAST YEAR?

Should be better. Crowell is an immediate upgrade from Forte, if only for age reasons. Crowell is 25 and has shown the ability, through four seasons, to be a workhorse running back. He has never missed a game. The past three seasons, he carried 206, 198, and 185 times. The past two years, he gained 4.1 and 4.8 yards per carry.

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WHAT JETS NEED FROM THIS GROUP IN 2018

Regardless of whether the Jets start quarterback Sam Darnold from the get-go, they'll need their running game to take some pressure off the quarterback. And this is especially true if the Jets go with Darnold as their Week 1 starter. Having the NFL's 19th-best rushing attack is not a sustainable formula for the Jets, considering their overall lack of impressive offensive weapons. They need their running game to do its part in 2018.

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Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Position previews

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Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.