Jets’ rookie running back Joe McKnight saw his first offensive snaps since Week 4 in the waning moments of the Patriots blowout win against the Jets on Monday Night Football. While this news isn’t particularly earth-shaking, McKnight is a player to watch going forward in dynasty leagues.
McKnight returned a punt 18 yards just before the Two-Minute Warning and then had three straight carries (19 yards rushing) to finish the game. The yardage totals don’t matter as both teams were going through the motions; however, McKnight did have a nice 11 yard gain on a toss-left where he showed a good burst.
Some have been quick to write McKnight off as a bust (7 rushes for 31 yards), but the Jets have as solid a 1-2 combination in the league and McKnight hasn’t been able to get any snaps let alone be on the active game day roster. The Jets are the same team that cut Danny Woodhead earlier this year, who has gone onto success with New England, and even Woodhead would struggle to get playing time if still with the Jets. McKnight was once hailed as the next Reggie Bush, but struggled to live up to his press clippings at USC.
LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene are entrenched atop the depth chart for the remainder of the season, although it isn’t a certainty that LT returns next year (signed through 2011) which would be a huge boost to McKnight’s value.
Don’t write McKnight off yet due to a lack of production; especially if you used a premium rookie draft pick on him this summer. Stay patient and you could be rewarded.
