New York Jets: Five players to build upon for the future

Elijah McGuire

When selecting a running back from a small school in the sixth round of the draft, results aren’t immediately accepted. This level of the draft, though Tom Brady came from it, typically involves project players. If the player makes the team at all, their role is often minimal. More often than not, low round picks don’t have the huge impact. They are afterthoughts on various teams around the league.

Elijah McGuire has been much different. He has not been a bell-cow, but he has been a solid fit in a three-headed attack, and would be effective as a duo with Bilal Powell if Matt Forte is gone next year. For the season, McGuire has run the ball 84 times for 321 yards and one touchdown, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He has added 14 receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. McGuire has shown he can be a part of the game plan through the air and on the ground.

Now, is 3.8 yards per carry the stuff of legends? Of course not. Part of that, however, can be attributed to the inconsistency of the offensive line. They have not been opening the holes on the line for any of the three running backs. Even with those problems, McGuire has averaged over four yards per carry in six separate games. That IS the stuff of a player that can spell Matt Forte and Bilal Powell whenever they need a rest, and do so effectively.