In what’s arguably the largest commerce in NFL historical past, Russell Wilson is now a Denver Bronco. Simply days after Pete Carroll mentioned the Seahawks wouldn’t be buying and selling Wilson, the crew shipped him off to Denver for a large haul together with Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and a number of first-round picks. This transfer sends shockwaves by means of the fantasy soccer world. How does Wilson’s arrival in Denver affect the fantasy values of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Javonte Williams?
Fantasy affect of Russell Wilson being traded to the Broncos
We will begin with the apparent. Wilson is a large improve over Lock and Teddy Bridgewater. Wilson didn’t play nicely in 2021, averaging simply 222.4 passing yards per recreation and throwing simply 25 touchdowns in 14 video games. Nonetheless, I don’t assume he’s performed. I’m prepared to chalk up his abysmal second half to only by no means actually getting over his finger damage.
Wilson remains to be solely 33 years previous. He ought to have at the least one other 5 good seasons left. It is a large transfer for the Broncos and one which considerably will increase the fantasy values of everybody on the crew.
Wilson’s affect on the fantasy values of Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy
Heading into the 2021 season, I used to be all in on Sutton. He was one among “my guys.” For a lot of different analysts, Jeudy was their man. Sadly, we have been all dissatisfied because the Broncos ran one of the vital conservative, run-heavy offenses within the NFL.
For the previous decade, Wilson has been shackled by the ineptitude of his head coach. The Broncos’ new head coach is the Packers’ former offensive coordinator. He labored with Aaron Rodgers for 3 years and is aware of the worth of passing the ball. I’m extraordinarily optimistic that Wilson might lastly have the ability to have a 600-pass-attempt season. If Wilson is allowed to air it out, Sutton and Jeudy go from unstartable in fantasy to extraordinarily sought-after belongings.
Final season, Sutton and Jeudy averaged 8.7 and eight.5 PPR fantasy factors per recreation, respectively. They each completed outdoors the highest 60 vast receivers in ppg. With Wilson, each have WR1 upside.
It’s not a one-to-one comparability, however think about Sutton to be Wilson’s new DK Metcalf and Jeudy to be his new Tyler Lockett. I’m not saying Sutton’s worth instantly catapults to Metcalf ranges, however he must be seen as a WR2 with elite WR1 upside. Sure, Sutton is that good. Jeudy is extra dependent upon rapport along with his QB and precision passing, which he ought to get from Wilson. He’s additionally greatest seen as a WR2, however his ceiling isn’t fairly as excessive as Sutton’s.
Wilson’s affect on the fantasy worth of Javonte Williams
Williams goes to be the Broncos’ lead again in 2022. He was already being mentioned as a borderline first-round decide in 2022 redraft leagues once we thought Lock was the presumptive starter. A possible Melvin Gordon return may have extra of an affect on Williams’ fantasy worth, however that is an apparent profit.
Williams’ total anticipated quantity goes down because the Broncos ought to go extra, however he’s a really succesful receiver. He caught 43 passes for 316 yards final season. In the end, because the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. What Williams might lose in quantity, he’ll make up for in effectivity. Wilson’s presence ought to simply add 10+ touchdowns to the Broncos’ complete tally. Williams may have extra space to work as groups can’t stack the field in opposition to him as simply, and he may have extra scoring alternatives. He’s a redraft RB1 and a top-five dynasty operating again.
Wilson’s affect on the fantasy worth of Albert Okwuegbunam
For 2 consecutive years, I hoped for a Fant breakout. As a substitute, we bought back-to-back seasons of about 65 catches and 670 yards.
Wilson has all the time utilized his tight finish. Seahawks’ tight ends simply didn’t actually have fantasy worth as a result of they weren’t that good they usually used a number of guys.
With Fant now out of the image, 2020 fourth-round decide Albert Okwuegbunam turns into Denver’s major tight finish. Okwuegbunam is extraordinarily athletic and is a surefire TE1 heading into 2022 redraft leagues.
We bought to see him in a major function in the course of the lone week Fant missed final season. In that recreation, Albert O performed 75% of the snaps and noticed 5 targets. Final season, Fant averaged 9.9 PPR ppg with the Broncos. In a beginning function, Okwuegbunam has the potential to achieve round 80 catches 850 receiving yard, and 6 touchdowns. These numbers would get him to about 12.5 ppg, which might’ve made him a prime 5 fantasy tight finish in 2021.
Wilson’s affect on the remainder of the Broncos
We all know Wilson can assist a number of fantasy-relevant gamers. Sutton, Jeudy, Williams, and Okwuegbunam are the principle guys, nevertheless it’s price discussing who else would possibly profit.
The Broncos’ WR3 will probably be Tim Patrick because the crew prolonged him final season. KJ Hamler can be in play. Heading into 2022, Patrick is a WR4 draftable in redraft leagues with WR3 upside. Hamler is a reputation to watch in case he begins making waves in coaching camp.
We briefly touched on Gordon above. As of now, we have no idea whether or not the Broncos will convey him again. I think about the arrival of Wilson will entice Gordon to return. Gordon has expressed a want to be a lead again, which isn’t going to occur in Denver. Nonetheless, he might nonetheless be again because the 1B in what may be a 60-40 break up with Williams.
Each backs had fantasy worth in 2021 in an anemic offense. With Wilson, Gordon could possibly be simply as precious in 2022 even with a 20-30% discount in utilization. We must wait and see his resolution.
