Once an elite real-life and fantasy football quarterback, Russell Wilson’s career is nearing its end. As the presumptive Week 1 starter for the New York Giants, Wilson gets the benefit of throwing to Malik Nabers on a team that should see its fair share of negative game script. Is there any fantasy appeal to Wilson in 2025?
Russell Wilson Fantasy Outlook
The days of Wilson averaging 20 fantasy points per game are long gone. He hasn’t come close to that number since 2020. But despite the narrative that Wilson isn’t good anymore, he hasn’t been all that bad for fantasy purposes.
Wilson has averaged between 15.8 and 17.8 PPG over the past four seasons. Those aren’t quite starter-worthy numbers, but he’s had plenty of usable weeks for fantasy managers.
Last season was Wilson’s second-worst fantasy year of his career (the worst being 2022). Yet, he still managed to post six weeks of 16+ fantasy points, including games of 24.9 and 27.9. As a reminder, he only started 11 games.
Wilson has clearly declined. He’s nowhere near the player he was during his prime Seattle years. But he still has some of his vintage traits. For example, Wilson was second in the league in deep ball completion percentage last season. That signature moon ball that he used to drop in the basket of Tyler Lockett still exists.
Russell Wilson throws a MOON BALL 🎯 @DangeRussWilson @TDLockett12
📺: #SEAvsAZ on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/FSTZl0ocgC pic.twitter.com/TomaAHgNew— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2020
With Nabers at his disposal, Wilson is sure to connect on at least a few deep touchdowns. But will that be enough to sustain fantasy value?
When he was younger, Wilson was considered a mobile quarterback. In 2014, Wilson averaged 53.1 rushing yards per game. Although that was an outlier, most years during his prime, Wilson was around 30 rushing yards per game. That helped supplement his fantasy floor.
In his older age, Wilson doesn’t run anymore. What’s left of his mobility is more used to evade pass rushers as opposed to scrambling. Here are Wilson’s rushing yards per game averages in each of the past four seasons:
- 13.1
- 18.5
- 22.7
- 14.1
Always a low-volume passer, Wilson got by with rushing and elite efficiency. He’s had eight seasons with a touchdown rate north of 6.0%.
The Giants have a much-improved defense and used an early fourth-rounder on Cam Skattebo to pair with Tyrone Tracy Jr. This could be an offense that looks to control the clock with the ground game and defense. As great as Nabers is, he’s really the only playmaker the Giants have offensively.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Finally, we have to address the most important issue with Wilson’s fantasy value. He’s on borrowed time.
The Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round. Wilson is a lock to start the season as long as he is healthy. However, if the Giants, who are projected to win five games, quickly fall out of playoff contention, what incentive do they have to continue rolling out a 37-year-old Wilson? They’re going to see what the rookie can do.
Wilson’s ADP is QB31. He’s well off the fantasy radar. I’m sure there will be weeks where his name pops up as a streaming candidate in a favorable matchup, but there’s no reason to draft him.
Mason LeBeau’s Russell Wilson Projection
I could easily argue that Russell Wilson isn’t worth your time. But, at ~QB30, I’d actually argue otherwise. His value is so low that he’s almost certain to provide your fantasy team some at cost. No, he won’t be a savior, nor a long-term option, but he could be a savvy play to start your season.Â
Wilson wasn’t just playable; he was a great start in multiple weeks last year. Eventually, his style of play wears out, but not before consecutive strong outings. There’s a chance that this Giants offense is better than last year’s Steelers (not a high bar), so if Wilson can come out of the gate swinging, not only can you find a viable starter, but possibly some hidden trade value.Â
This speaks more to Superflex, where teams will be scouring for a usable QB2 by the end of September. For the cost you can get Wilson at, he can probably plug into your SFlex slot for a good portion of the season.Â
The Giants start the season with the Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, Chargers, and Saints. Those games have at least a little upside, if not a lot. The schedule gets brutal afterwards (Eagles, Broncos, Eagles), but if you can find a desperate trade partner, you can potentially get great value from someone who costs a late-round pick.
