New York Jets: Player evaluations at Quarterback and Running Back

Elijah McGuire

FINAL STATS: 88 RUSHES, 315 YARDS, ONE TOUCHDOWN;

17 RECEPTIONS, 177 YARDS, ONE TOUCHDOWN

Anything that comes from a sixth round draft pick is going to be a positive. Often times, unless your name is Tom Brady, sixth round picks spend their first season on the practice squad and/or watching the action. When you take a sixth round pick from a small school and find a guy that could be a change of pace running back is one heck of a draft pick. That’s what we have found in Elijah McGuire.

His average per carry was only 3.6 yards, but that isn’t bad for a rookie. He only ran the ball 88 times and showed he could make a catch out of the backfield. McGuire had his one huge moment in the sun, that faithful afternoon against Jacksonville. Both he and Powell broke out that day, with McGuire carrying the ball ten times for 93 yards and a 69 yard touchdown. Remember? We actually thought the running game was snapping out of it that afternoon.

Next: Three takeaways from the loss to New England

The Jets running game is in good shape, thanks in part to Elijah McGuire. He will make a solid change of pace to Bilal Powell next year and hopefully beyond. Unless of course the Jets select a big-time running back in the draft. Saquon Barkley anyone?

If anyone wondered, Christian Hackenberg got an “F”. He didn’t deserve an entire slide.