New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson is the fantasy equivalent of a significant other who has done all of the right things in the relationship but you still simply don’t trust.
Despite his dominant target share, respectable production in a terrible offense, and elite playmaking skills, fantasy managers are justifiably concerned he could have a rough fantasy outing in their championship match against a stingy Cleveland Browns defense.
Can you trust Wilson in your fantasy lineup heading into Week 17?
Should You Start Garrett Wilson in Week 17?
When you take into consideration the Jets’ offense ranks dead last in the league in total offense — 263.5 yards per game — and second to last in passing yards per game with 173.1, then you should have a profound amount of respect for Wilson’s 88 receptions for 958 yards and three scores with a starting triumvirate of Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian under center for all but four snaps of the 2023 season.
Despite the ineptitude of the New York offense, Wilson is still the WR24 on the season in full-PPR formats based on volume alone.
Wilson leads the NFL in targets this season (153) but ranks 14th in receptions, 25th in receiving yards, and is tied for 69th with three receiving TDs. The fact that he is outside of the top 10 in every major receiving category while leading the league in targets speaks to the level of poor quarterbacking in New York.
Unfortunately for Wilson shareholders, this matchup against the Browns comes at the worst possible time of the fantasy season with a championship at stake.
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t point out some of the rough outings from quality fantasy WRs this season against this Cleveland secondary over the last three games.
- Calvin Ridley: Four catches for 53 yards
- DJ Moore: Four catches for 52 yards
- Nico Collins: Four catches for 18 yards, TD
The volume of looks is still likely to be there for Wilson on Thursday, but his fantasy ceiling feels like it will be significantly capped by this Browns defense. Another concern to have for Wilson is his fantasy floor potentially being lowered by this secondary and the potential struggles of Siemian against this elite defensive unit.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
Wilson has failed to top eight fantasy points in three out of his last six games when facing off against defenses that are far less dominant than the one he is set to face off against on Thursday Night Football.
I have Wilson outside of my top 35 at the WR position this week and would rather go in a different direction, if at all possible, in Week 17.
Trending Start/Sit Searches For Wilson
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use and it allows you to enter in up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Wilson or Zay Flowers?
Baltimore Ravens rookie WR Zay Flowers responded with a huge performance just one week after posting a career-low seven receiving yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He torched the talented San Francisco 49ers defense for 72 receiving yards and a score on nine receptions on Christmas Day.
Similarly to Wilson, Flowers has been a bit volatile over the last seven games with a pair of rough fantasy outings during that stretch. But ultimately, I trust Lamar Jackson against the Miami Dolphins far more than Siemian against the Browns in Week 17. I’ll roll with Flowers in the championship round.
Should You Start Wilson or DeAndre Hopkins?
The return of Ryan Tannehill under center did WR DeAndre Hopkins absolutely no favors, which is evidenced by the fact Hopkins failed to top two receptions or 21 yards receiving for a second consecutive game.
Despite the volatile production we’ve seen from Wilson at times this year, Hopkins has more fantasy performances with fewer than 10 points in PPR formats than Wilson in 2023, making him a bit more of a boom-or-bust option than Wilson.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
However, Hopkins is set to play his first game back in the city of Houston — where he spent seven years as a member of the Texans — since being traded to the Arizona Cardinals ahead of the 2020 season.
Not to mention, Amari Cooper just lit up the Texans’ secondary for 265 yards and two scores last week, which has me going with Hopkins over Wilson in Week 17.
Derek Tate’s Week 17 WR Rankings
1) CeeDee Lamb | DAL (vs. DET)
2) Justin Jefferson | MIN (vs. GB)
3) A.J. Brown | PHI (vs. ARI)
4) Amon-Ra St. Brown | DET (at DAL)
5) Tyreek Hill | MIA (at BAL)
6) Mike Evans | TB (vs. NO)
7) DJ Moore | CHI (vs. ATL)
8) Deebo Samuel | SF (at WAS)
9) Brandon Aiyuk | SF (at WAS)
10) Chris Olave | NO (at TB)
11) Puka Nacua | LAR (at NYG)
12) DK Metcalf | SEA (vs. PIT)
13) Cooper Kupp | LAR (at NYG)
14) Rashee Rice | KC (vs. CIN)
15) Michael Pittman Jr. | IND (vs. LV)
16) DeVonta Smith | PHI (vs. ARI)
17) Jaylen Waddle | MIA (at BAL)
18) Amari Cooper | CLE (vs. NYJ)
19) Davante Adams | LV (at IND)
20) Calvin Ridley | JAX (vs. CAR)
21) Stefon Diggs | BUF (vs. NE)
22) Nico Collins | HOU (vs. TEN)
23) Tee Higgins | CIN (at KC)
24) Jayden Reed | GB (at MIN)
25) Garrett Wilson | NYJ (at CLE)
26) DeAndre Hopkins | TEN (at HOU)
27) Terry McLaurin | WAS (vs. SF)
28) Chris Godwin | TB (vs. NO)
29) Courtland Sutton | DEN (vs. LAC)
30) George Pickens | PIT (at SEA)
31) Tyler Lockett | SEA (vs. PIT)
32) Zay Flowers | BAL (vs. MIA)
33) Diontae Johnson | PIT (at SEA)
34) Drake London | ATL (at CHI)
35) Josh Downs | IND (vs. LV)
36) Jakobi Meyers | LV (at IND)
37) Brandin Cooks | DAL (vs. DET)
38) Demarcus Robinson | LAR (at NYG)
39) Gabe Davis | BUF (vs. NE)
40) Zay Jones | JAX (vs. CAR)
41) Jordan Addison | MIN (vs. GB)
42) Adam Thielen | CAR (at JAX)
43) Jaxon Smith-Njigba | SEA (vs. PIT)
44) Odell Beckham Jr. | BAL (vs. MIA)
45) Michael Wilson | ARI (at PHI)
46) Joshua Palmer | LAC (at DEN)
47) Rashid Shaheed | NO (at TB)
48) Noah Brown | HOU (vs. TEN)
49) Demario Douglas | NE (at BUF)
50) Dontayvion Wicks | GB (at MIN)
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