Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall would not pick himself first if he had a fantasy football team.
But he told reporters on Thursday would take Jets running back Chris Ivory.
"I'm shocked that the world really doesn't know about him," Marshall said via The New York Post. "I didn't know much about him. I remember the Jets trading for him. I didn't get it. I didn't understand what was the big deal. But now I understand it. I'm excited for him, and I'm excited for our team."
He's not off base when talking about Ivory as one of the league's most underrated backs. Former Jets general manager John Idzik traded for him back in 2013, marking one of the few bright spots of his tenure. Ivory has spent his entire career in crowded backfields but has never dipped below four yards per carry.
He's also one of the NFL's best running backs at earning yards after first contact.
With Stevan Ridley out for a while and Bilal Powell assuming a clear No. 2 role, Ivory can prove Marshall right in the coming weeks. Against the Colts this Sunday, he'll have another chance to gash a defense vulnerable against the run.
Against Indianapolis last week, Bills rushers LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams combined for 96 yards with Tyrod Taylor adding another 41.
