Jets X-Factor projects where the New York Jets offensive rookies fit in fantasy football dynasty and rookie rankings.
Don’t worry, fantasy football nuts who also happen to be rabid New York Jets fans; we haven’t forgotten about you.
Admittedly, there hasn’t been much to rave about as it pertained to your football team in the fantasy football world, and this was especially the case in the dynasty world. Fortunately, today is a new today, one on the heels of Joe Douglas‘ second tremendous NFL draft.
Obviously, No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson‘s fantasy football future is interesting right off the bat. But the list doesn’t end there. Today, we take a look at four Jets offensive rookies while looking to stack them up against the rest of the rookie class in the world of dynasty fantasy football.
QB, Zach Wilson (17) (3*)
Zach Wilson may have been taken second in the NFL draft, but he’s third in my rookie rankings and in ADP for rookie quarterbacks.
With the rebuilding Jets, Wilson has the potential to become an elite fantasy football prospect. He’s in the same tier as his first-round counterparts: Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance, despite being in, arguably, the worst situation of the four.
If there’s a way to try and predict Wilson’s fantasy trajectory, it’s to look at the San Francisco 49ers’ offense. All signs have pointed towards the Jets emulating that style and that could be beneficial to Wilson’s growth.
In the lone year the 49ers had a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo, they had the 13th best passing attack per PFF. Jimmy G finished as the 14th ranked quarterback in fantasy football that season (2019).
As of now, Wilson is a solid QB2 in superflex leagues and a bench player in 1QB formats. He may start his career in the middle of the pack for fantasy football purposes, but he has the potential to become an elite player.
If the Jets can successfully build around him, he will be your team’s QB1 for years to come.
RB, Michael Carter (27) (4*)
Michael Carter may have been the steal of the draft. In an offense where a committee approach will be taken, there’s a clear path for Carter to become the main guy and receive a Raheem Mostert-type role.
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur is a firm believer that the run sets up the pass, which means Carter will have ample opportunity to showcase himself.
Carter has the most upside out of any of the running backs on the roster and could develop into an important safety valve for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson.
In my rankings, I have him just outside of an RB2 in all formats as the No. 27 RB. He’s my fourth-ranked running back in this rookie class and is ranked similarly in rookie running back ADP.
He should develop into a reliable FLEX option this season and expand in that role as time goes on.
WR, Elijah Moore (47) (7*)
Everyone, including the Jets, was surprised to see Elijah Moore fall to them at 34th overall. Moore was a YAC monster at Ole Miss, and the Jets give themselves a swiss army knife in the passing game—similar to Niners wideout Deebo Samuel.
YAC leaders by position:
RB: Travis Etienne, Clemson – 531
WR: Elijah Moore, Ole Miss – 446
TE: Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss – 237 pic.twitter.com/qW2o0M3H5Q— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 19, 2020
With Moore on the team, the likelihood of Jamison Crowder sticking around is slim to none, creating an automatic path for success on the roster. The Jets will assuredly put the ball in their playmaker’s hands while creating ample opportunity for fantasy football production.
In my rankings, I have Moore as the WR47 and seventh in wide receiver rookie rankings. His ADP currently has him as the eighth rookie wideout off the board.
Wide receivers taken with high draft capital always get opportunities to produce. It’s easy to see a path carved out for WR4/5 production in the immediate future, with high upside into a WR2/3 role.
Moore has the potential to become the star in a revamped offense and could end up as one of the more productive players of his draft class.
TE, Kenny Yeboah (9*)
Elijah Moore’s teammate from Ole Miss joins him in New York, as the Jets signed Kenny Yeboah as a UDFA. Yeboah places ninth in my rookie TE rankings. Unfortunately, there is no data given on his ADP.
For the Jets, tight end is a position of need that no one’s talking about. Chris Herndon has been a disappointment thus far, Ryan Griffin could be cut, while Daniel Brown finds himself down the depth chart, and Tyler Kroft is primarily a blocking tight end. Yeboah has a real opportunity to become an asset for the team, and perhaps fantasy football squads.
Depending on the roster size in your league, Yeboah may not be worth a stash spot. But if your league involves using a taxi squad, the risk is worth the potential reward.
I would temper expectations that Yeboah will become a true TE1 down the line, but he’s a player I’m either putting on to my taxi squad or adding to my watch list. Fantasy football is all about potential and opportunity, and the door is open for both here.
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