Having Aaron Rodgers go down with a season-ending Achilles injury is a massive blow to the New York Jets and their playoff hopes. As a result of the injury, Zach Wilson will likely be the starting quarterback moving forward.
So what does that mean for the Jets’ primary fantasy weapon, Garrett Wilson, moving forward for the rest of the season? Should fantasy football managers consider trading Wilson?
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Start/Sit Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Should Fantasy Football Managers Trade Garrett Wilson?
When looking to make a trade, it should be because you’re trying to improve your team. Fantasy managers would have drafted Wilson in the second or third round of their fantasy drafts this summer. Wilson is also the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished last season as the WR21 in PPR scoring.
NFL films released a video showing another angle of the Garrett Wilson TD from last night.
Garrett turned a bad pass from Zach Wilson into a score with one hand.pic.twitter.com/O728up6g9rhttps://t.co/5DAYQRhX3d
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 12, 2023
The expectation upon drafting Wilson was that he would improve on those numbers with Rodgers throwing him the ball. But now that Rodgers is injured and out for the season, does the outlook change?
To answer that question, we need to look at Wilson’s relationship with the Jets’ backup quarterback. Last season, Garrett Wilson played with Zach Wilson for 8.5 games. In those games, Garrett had just 430 yards and zero touchdowns. He also only had a 21% target share. There was no connection or chemistry between the two.
Zach never seemed to look the way of the rookie receiver in the big moments. That’s not to say it will be the same this time around. Last night, the two combined for a touchdown — their first together. Garrett also did lead the team in targets with five, catching all of them.
Nevertheless, it’s clear that Zach Wilson will be a significant downgrade from Rodgers, and, as a result, the passing volume is likely to significantly reduce.
So while we know that Wilson has the talent to return a top-15 fantasy WR finish, can he do this in this new iteration of the Jets offense that will likely have to be adopted for the rest of the season?
Unfortunately, I do not see a path to Garrett Wilson being a top-15 wide receiver in fantasy football in any format this season with Zach as New York’s starting QB.
There are limited options in the free agency market to improve their team. Only Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and Colt McCoy can be considered for the Jets to sign. And it is likely they would only be signed as a backup to the former number two overall pick.
Therefore, it appears that fantasy managers are not going to get the value from Wilson from where they drafted him. However, one way to rectify that is to trade him. And that is exactly what I would be looking to do right now. As long as the price is right.
What Should Fantasy Managers Look To Acquire When Trading Wilson?
It’s impossible to predict what fantasy managers in your league are likely to give up for Wilson. Every league is different. But just because Wilson might not return ADP value, it doesn’t mean you should trade him away on the cheap. After all, it’s unlikely Wilson will end up in the fantasy busts column.
In shallower leagues with only five or six bench spots, I would still be demanding a premium for Wilson. You can point to last night’s incredible touchdown reception as proof of the talent and the ability to score points. However, if somebody were to offer me a Round 3 player like DeVonta Smith, Tee Higgins, or D.K. Metcalf, then I would certainly take it.
MORE: Aaron Rodgers Injury — Fantasy Impact on Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, and Others
Likewise, if I were to get an offer for someone like Chris Godwin or Deebo Samuel, who will have a significantly higher target share than Wilson, and it’s a PPR league, then I would likely accept that as well.
However, feel free to replace those names with other players you might prefer. These are just suggestions and my preferences, as I would be looking for a player with a safer floor than what Wilson might offer me week to week moving forward.
Perhaps you might want to ask for a couple of these fantasy sleepers in a package instead.
I view Wilson as a boom-or-bust type receiver now, in a similar profile to someone like Mike Evans, moving forward. Therefore, taking a WR with a safer floor might just be the prudent thing to do to give you the best possible chance to make the playoffs. I value consistency over a player who could score 25 points one week and five points the next.
However, see what offers other fantasy managers throw out in your league and what you can get for Wilson. Just don’t sell him on the cheap. He does have value moving forward and will put up a couple of top-12 wide receiver weeks this season, even with Zach Wilson throwing him the ball.