The New York Jets have multiple fantasy football assets on the defensive side of the ball in IDP leagues
It’s taken a while, but the New York Jets are finally managing to have multiple fantasy football assets – both on offense and defense.
Previously, I highlighted a few significant players on the offensive side of the ball. Now it’s time to switch to the defense for IDP-league players. We’ll start with the defensive line and work our way outwards.
Quinnen Williams, DL
Drafted in 2019, Quinnen Williams has been a player that’s severely underrated – by essentially everyone. While he got off to a slow start in his rookie year, he’s been a menace in his last two seasons with the Jets.
In the last two seasons, Williams has 13 sacks and two forced fumbles. That success has correlated to success in fantasy football, too.
In 2020 Williams finished as the DL14, and the DT3 in fantasy football leagues. In 2021, Williams finished tied for the DL29; and was the DT11 overall.
As far as overall DL go, Quinnen is a borderline DL2. That means that he’s a top-36 player at the position, with the potential to become a top-24 player.
Regardless of whether your fantasy football league distinguishes between DL and DTs, Quinnen is a steal at the position nonetheless – both in redraft and dynasty leagues. You can get Williams incredibly late in drafts as an exceptional rotational player at the position.
The one good thing about Jets players is that they’re consistently underrated by the fantasy community. This is consistent in IDP leagues as well. Never forget to use that to your advantage.
Quincy Williams, LB
We discussed one of the Williams brothers, now it’s time for the other.
After being essentially a non-factor in his time with Jacksonville, Quincy Williams revitalized his career when he came to the Jets.
In his first season with the team, Williams compiled 110 total tackles to go with two sacks and three forced fumbles. He was known for his massive hits that brought back the feeling of smashmouth football; an era that’s been seemingly long forgotten about.
While the older Williams brother had some discipline problems in terms of play assignments, he produced more often than not. This was even more prevalent in fantasy football leagues.
In 15 games, Williams finished as the LB24, posting nearly 12 FPPG. He was only two spots behind former Jets LB Demario Davis.
Given the growth we saw from Williams, it’s a good assumption that he will improve with another year under his belt, and in Saleh’s system.
Like his brother, Quincy Williams usually goes undrafted in your normal fantasy football leagues. He’s an excellent waiver addition or late-round pick who can instantly become your LB2/3, or spot starter.
He’s a player I’ll be picking up everywhere in what I presume to be an excellent 2022 season – and beyond.
C.J. Mosley, LB
Unlike the other two Jets mentioned, C.J. Mosley is one of the few household names on the defensive side of the ball. This is also true in fantasy football leagues, and for good reason.
Mosley has been a consistent contributor when healthy, posting 100+ tackles in all but one of his healthy seasons. In 2021, Mosley saw his best statistical season, posting 168 total tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He finished as the LB10 on the season.
Going into 2022, Mosley should see himself in a similar role. While he’s nearing age 30, his position in the defense is one where his age won’t hinder his fantasy football performance. At least, not for now.
You won’t get the same discount on Mosley as you will with the Williams brothers, and at cost, I’m usually steering away from him. That doesn’t mean he won’t have a productive season, however.
Fantasy football is all about value. If you can get Mosley at a LB2+ value in redraft leagues, you do it. If you can get him in the LB4+ range in dynasty leagues, that’s great value on a 1-2 year starter.
Sauce Gardner, CB
Like C.J. Mosley, you’ll be hardpressed to get Sauce Gardner at value. In fact, if you’re playing in dynasty leagues there’s a chance you’ll be paying a premium for the talented CB.
Whether or not Gardner is worth acquiring is completely dependent on the rules of your fantasy football league. To be honest, good cover-corners aren’t worth rostering in most leagues because of their lack of tackles. Interceptions are volatile and unreliable in the fantasy football world. With that said, I think 2022 is the year to have Gardner on your team.
With D.J. Reed on the roster, it will likely be Gardner who gets tested throughout the season by opposing quarterbacks. In fantasy football leagues, this works heavily in Gardner’s favor. He’ll have more opportunity for tackles, interceptions, and pass deflections – or as I like to call them, “the Big 3 for CBs”.
However, if his player comp to Darrelle Revis is legit, 2022 may be the only season I’d want to roster Gardner; especially given the cost and misconception amongst fantasy football players about cornerbacks.
The elite CBs don’t get targeted. There’s a reason Jalen Ramsey is an elite corner and not an elite fantasy football asset. There’s little to no room for production in terms of points.
Because of that, I’m looking to avoid Gardner, nearly completely, in all fantasy formats. If his redraft ADP is around a CB4/5, then Gardner is worth the value. Otherwise, I guarantee you’ll find better value looking at other CB2s or CBs on bad defenses.
While this sounds like a slight towards Gardner, it couldn’t be further from it. And while it stinks for Jets fans looking to roster players in their fantasy football league, it signifies the potential for greatness in real football.
