Fantasy football managers have been very excited about the fantasy outlook of Marvin Harrison Jr. after being selected No. 4 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but perhaps he isn’t the only Arizona Cardinals wide receiver that managers should be optimistic about entering this season.
Can Michael Wilson emerge as a breakout candidate in his second year in the NFL?
Michael Wilson’s 2024 Fantasy Forecast
The rookie campaign fantasy managers saw from Wilson in 2023 was a bit of a mixed bag, to put it gently. His 38 receptions for 565 yards and three scores for a WR60 overall finish in full-PPR formats made him an unreliable Flex option.
However, those numbers do require the context of him playing with Joshua Dobbs as his quarterback for the majority of the time he spent on the field, as well as the fact he missed four games.
The one aspect of Wilson’s rookie season that makes an optimistic or aggressive projection for him this upcoming season difficult is his lack of production when Kyler Murray returned under center in Week 10.
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From Weeks 10 through 18, Wilson produced 13 receptions for 164 yards and one score while seeing 25 targets over a five-game sample size. The five targets per game were encouraging, but what he generated with them wasn’t.
Keep in mind, this was Wilson’s performance prior to the arrival of Harrison — who projects to be an instant target hog in this Arizona offense. Not to mention, Wilson will also be competing for looks with Trey McBride, who was peppered with 66 targets over the same exact stretch with Murray under last year.
Does Wilson have the physical tools to win at the catchpoint with his physicality, strong hands, and body control as a possession receiver? Yes, I believe he does.
Can Wilson potentially thrive as a complementary option to an elite playmaker on the opposite side of the formation? Yes, I believe seeing the second- or third-best corner every week will only help with his efficiency.
Do I believe the third option in this passing attack is going to be a reliable starting option for your fantasy squad in 2024? Maybe, but I do have my doubts.
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I do think Wilson is worth a roster spot entering the 2024 NFL season to see if his role expands from what we saw last year, but I don’t have him as one of my breakout candidates this upcoming season.
Wilson’s ADP at No. 162 overall in the 14th round as the WR67 off the board means he is going undrafted in many drafts while acting as a late-round dart throw in others. For some additional context, Wilson is coming off the board just behind Dontavyion Wicks, Josh Downs, and Xavier Legette.
Wilson showcased the ability to be a contributor to an NFL passing attack his rookie year as a possession receiver, and he could see an expanded role in his second season. Realistically, he is probably competing for the third- or fourth-highest target share in this offense with Greg Dortch — and they are both distant complementary options behind Harrison and McBride.
Wilson does present some intrigue with a healthy Murray returning under center and could provide some Flex appeal in deeper full-PPR formats if this passing offense flirts with top-10 production. Yet, Wilson’s upside as a breakout candidate is likely capped because of the presence of Harrison in 2024 and beyond.
