The Denver Broncos’ 2022 season was so disappointing that many analysts consider their trade for QB Russell Wilson one of the worst in NFL history. But with the arrival of new head coach Sean Payton, can Wilson bounce back in a big way for fantasy football in 2023? Let’s take a closer look.
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Where Exactly Did Things Go Wrong for Russell Wilson in 2022?
To give the simplest answer possible … everything went wrong from the very start of Wilson’s first season as a member of the Broncos.
Wilson’s completion percentage (60.5%), QB rating (84.4), and passing TDs (16) in 2022 were all career-lows. His personal struggles mirrored that of the entire offensive unit, as the Broncos finished dead last in the league in points per game.
Fortunately, the Broncos landed Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean Payton to help resurrect Wilson’s career.
What Fantasy Impact Will Sean Payton Have on Russell Wilson?
With all due respect to Drew Brees, he was not on a Hall of Fame trajectory until he arrived in New Orleans and paired up with Payton. The upgrade from Nathaniel Hackett to Payton is comparable to that of going from Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
As far as Payton’s fantasy impact on Wilson, do I expect Russ to rattle off 12 straight 4,000-yard passing seasons like the Brees-Payton combination produced? No. Do I expect the Broncos to finish dead last in points per game in 2023? Also no.
WR Jerry Jeudy is a player that hasn’t reached his potential since entering the NFL. Payton is certainly capable of unlocking his true potential. Since taking the head coaching gig, Payton has called Jeudy “explosive” with regard to his big-play ability.
Payton has already spoken highly of second-year TE Greg Dulcich, mentioning him in the same breath as players like Jimmy Graham and Jason Witten. He even went as far as to hint at Dulcich playing in the “Joker” role in his offense, which is a TE or RB with exceptional ball skills that allows a coach to create mismatches against opposing defenses.
If Payton is excited about getting to scheme up these players, why shouldn’t be excited about Wilson this upcoming season?
Will Russell Wilson Have a Bounce Back Fantasy Season in 2023?
Russ finished the 2022 season as the fantasy QB16 (which was the lowest of his career), but his current ADP is the QB18 off the board.
Most would agree that everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Russ last season. Meaning he is currently being drafted below his career fantasy floor with Payton as is his new head coach. That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Wilson is a great buy at his current ADP because most of the risk is gone with an 11th-round price tag. With the arrival of Payton in the Mile High City, you should expect a bounce back for Wilson in 2023.
