Looks like Jets fans aren’t the only ones who feel running back Leon Washington is a rising star in the NFL. In a recent article, Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King is predicting as many as 300 touches for young Leon Washington in this up coming season.

“I think the one player I’m really looking forward to seeing under a new coach is all-purpose back Leon Washington of the Jets, whose head man, Rex Ryan, is certain to use Washington more liberally than he was used a year ago. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Washington — assuming he reports to camp on time, seeing that he’s in a contract dispute with the team right now — touch the ball 300 times this year. Last year, he had 76 rushes and 47 receptions, to go along with punt- and kick-return duties (77 returns total). He touched it 200 times last year, 123 from scrimmage. That number from scrimmage has to get to 200, whatever the Jets choose to do in the return game; Washington is simply too explosive to let him touch the ball 7.7 times per game from scrimmage. “I hate defending against players like that,” Ryan said last week. “He had six touchdowns on 73 carries last year. That number has to go up — drastically. And it will.” “

I think it goes without saying that Leon is a large part of the future of this team. Getting the ball into his hands as often as possible is as close to a no-brainer as it gets.