Running back committees can be a headache for fantasy teams. Bad enough when it's two backs involved, worse when it's three getting a sizable percentage of the work. So while it's a bummer for Elijah McGuire (pictured) that he limped off the practice field with a fractured foot and will miss extended time, it's a positive for the team's other backs.
The Jets were committed to a three-man committee backfield last year, with Matt Forte, Bilal Powell and McGuire. Each of the three got at least 20 percent of the team's rushing attempts a year ago (and that's not even counting receiving production, which they were also all involved in). No other team in the league had more than two backs accounting for over 20 percent of the carries; about a third (10) had only one.
| RB RUSHING ATTEMPTS, 2017 (20% OR MORE) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | TDR |
| Adrian Peterson, Ariz. | 32% | 32% | 33% |
| Kerwynn Williams, Ariz. | 29% | 31% | 17% |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 46% | 47% | 58% |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 36% | 34% | 42% |
| Alex Collins, Balt. | 46% | 52% | 43% |
| Javorius Allen, Balt. | 33% | 32% | 29% |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 59% | 56% | 50% |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 40% | 32% | 40% |
| Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 24% | 21% | 13% |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 65% | 63% | 69% |
| Tarik Cohen, Chi. | 21% | 21% | 15% |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 47% | 46% | 67% |
| Giovani Bernard, Cin. | 28% | 34% | 33% |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 54% | 50% | 18% |
| Duke Johnson, Clev. | 21% | 20% | 36% |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 50% | 45% | 39% |
| Alfred Morris, Dall. | 24% | 25% | 6% |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 54% | 54% | 38% |
| Ameer Abdullah, Det. | 45% | 45% | 40% |
| Theo Riddick, Det. | 23% | 23% | 30% |
| Jamaal Williams, G.B. | 40% | 32% | 31% |
| Aaron Jones, G.B. | 21% | 26% | 31% |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 53% | 48% | 38% |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 58% | 58% | 27% |
| Marlon Mack, Ind. | 21% | 22% | 27% |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 51% | 46% | 50% |
| Chris Ivory, Jac. | 21% | 17% | 6% |
| Kareem Hunt, K.C. | 67% | 70% | 67% |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 68% | 69% | 80% |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 61% | 67% | 76% |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 38% | 34% | 0% |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia. | 37% | 46% | 75% |
| Latavius Murray, Minn. | 43% | 43% | 53% |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 30% | 29% | 20% |
| Dion Lewis, N.E. | 40% | 47% | 38% |
| Mike Gillislee, N.E. | 23% | 20% | 31% |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 52% | 54% | 52% |
| Alvin Kamara, N.O. | 27% | 35% | 35% |
| Orleans Darkwa, NYG | 43% | 48% | 83% |
| Wayne Gallman, NYG | 28% | 31% | 0% |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 42% | 45% | 38% |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 24% | 22% | 15% |
| Elijah McGuire, NYJ | 21% | 19% | 8% |
| Marshawn Lynch, Oak. | 56% | 57% | 54% |
| LeGarrette Blount, Phil. | 37% | 36% | 22% |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 73% | 77% | 75% |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 59% | 56% | 53% |
| Matt Breida, S.F. | 26% | 28% | 13% |
| Doug Martin, T.B. | 35% | 28% | 38% |
| Peyton Barber, T.B. | 28% | 29% | 38% |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 42% | 36% | 33% |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 40% | 41% | 28% |
| Samaje Perine, Wash. | 44% | 42% | 10% |
With Forte and McGuire out of the picture, it should be free agent acquisition Isaiah Crowell and Powell hogging production. New York could sign somebody, and also has explosive sixth-rounder Trenton Cannon as a possibility to mix in. But at least for now, it looks more like a two-back committee, with Crowell getting most of the rushing attempts and Powell handling most of the receiving work. A plus for their fantasy value, at least until it becomes clear who the third back might be.
New York also has Thomas Rawls, and worked out Alfred Morris, Orleans Darkwa and Tion Green yesterday. But none of those backs has the receiving ability of McGuire, who was being mentioned as a breakout candidate. Powell's roster spot even appeared to be in jeopardy (according to one report) with McGuire healthy. Now he should be safe.
As an aside, injuries like McGuire's are why I don't understand the appeal of fantasy leagues drafting this early. I get that everyone is taking the same risk, but to build rosters so long before any actual games are played just strikes me as putting too much risk into fantasy football. I would hate to be staring at McGuire on my best-ball roster for the next five months.
UPDATE: Adam Schefter is now reporting that the Jets say McGuire will only miss 3-6 weeks. That seems...wildly optimistic; scouring my memory for a running back who broke his foot and returned in anything remotely close to three weeks. But I guess McGuire needs to be protected on dynasty rosters for now; still a possibility to return in the first part of the season.
--Andy Richardson