Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 1: RB Elijah McGuire

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 31: Elijah McGuire #35 of the New York Jets drives into Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 31: Elijah McGuire #35 of the New York Jets drives into Corey Clement #30 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Heading into Week 1 fantasy football, owners would be wise to not risk anything and sit running back Elijah McGuire this week.

Make no mistake about it, if the New York Jets are going to win football games this season, it’ll be thanks to their rushing attack. They have a formidable trio at running back heading into their Week 1 season opener on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Matt Forte, Bilal Powell, and rookie Elijah McGuire will all get their reps to try and keep those chains moving. Should fantasy football owners consider starting McGuire this week?

In the grand scheme of things, it’s best to actually sit McGuire in Week 1 if you do own the rookie sensation out of Louisiana-Lafayette. On all accounts, McGuire should be able to make some serious noise this upcoming season just like he did during preseason action. Unfortunately, it’s best to wait as due to the running backs ahead of him on the depth chart, he’ll see some action but not enough to warrant starting him.

McGuire will be a household name on the Jets in the future but will be eased into getting more reps as the regular season progresses. Since this is the season opener, the Jets will more than likely put more faith and reps into Forte and especially Powell with leftovers going to McGuire.

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Fantasy football owners would be wise to sit McGuire this week since the ground game of the Jets will put them in a position to beat the Bills this week. Unfortunately, reps will mostly be divided up between Forte and Powell.

If anything, owners would be in a better position to either use Forte as a FLEX option or Powell as an RB2 since they’ll be getting most plays designed around their unique skill sets.

McGuire made a name for himself throughout his collegiate career as being a dynamic threat on offense capable of running or receiving efficiently every single time his number was called. He’ll be a versatile option for the Jets but for this particular matchup, they’ll use him sparingly as he gets acclimated to life in the NFL.

Overall, McGuire is a safe sit this week but if he’s still available via the waiver wire in your fantasy leagues, make sure to stash him on your bench. At some point this season, he will be a catalyst on offense.

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