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Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the more famous fantasy football junkies, and famously he selects himself first in his leagues. Here's a year where he shouldn't have any competition for that selection.
Jones-Drew's lengthy holdout is expected to end prior to the start of the season, but it appears it will cost him his starting job, at least initially. The Jaguars have a new offense, and Mike Mularkey indicated at a press conference yesterday that Jennings will probably be his Week 1 starter.
To a point, you could say, well, what else is he going to say? Jones-Drew isn't there. But with Jennings starting all preseason and playing well, it wouldn't send a great message if Mularkey just let him waltz in a few days before the start of the season and replace Jennings in the starting lineup.
If nothing else, it seems clear that Jennings will get more of the work early on. It's a committee situation that could stick, if Jennings plays well.
A quick glance at the schedule suggests Jacksonville may not post huge rushing numbers its first couple of games anyway. They're at Minnesota, which tends to play the run much better than the pass, and then host Houston, which is very good against both. But Week 3, at Indianapolis, should be a nice matchup, for whoever is featured then. Maybe it will be Jones-Drew, maybe not.
If you're confident Jones-Drew will show up soon and be featured by Week 2 or 3, there's some value in where he'll no doubt be selected in drafts this week, possibly falling into the third round. Personally if I'm going to use an early pick on a running back, I want him to be a little bit of a safer choice than a disgruntled holdout who has a capable backup. I'll be looking at other players.
--Andy Richardson
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Posted by Andy Whaley | Aug. 29 at 06:27 PM
The way this is currently headed, I wouldn't be surprised to see MJD as another Vincent Jackson. Holding out deep into the season.