Jets' Fantasy Outlook: One Start and One Must Sit for Week 3 AFC East Battle

Riding with Garrett Wilson, even on a rainy day, but fading an aging running back
Jets' Fantasy Outlook: One Start and One Must Sit for Week 3 AFC East Battle
Jets' Fantasy Outlook: One Start and One Must Sit for Week 3 AFC East Battle /
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The New York Jets are in danger of falling into fantasy football irrelevancy. 

It once looked promising for those who invested in the Green & White, but that all changed drastically when Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending injury four offensive snaps into the Monday Night Football opener.

With Gang Green set to face the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick's defense in Week 3, the outlook isn't bright for what could be a rainy day in the Meadowlands.

Outside of WR1 Garrett Wilson, there isn't another must-have player on the roster, especially at the receiver position.

As good as Breece Hall looked against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Jets are keeping the second-year running back on a "pitch count" as he builds back from ACL surgery. Hall carried only four times in a 30-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Yes, Hall is still worthy of a roster spot on your fantasy team. Maybe those who keep the faith in him will be rewarded by a heavier workload as the season progresses. If Hall is already on your team, he's probably still starting due to the sheer lack of running back options around the league. He's still a decent option, but nowhere near the RB10 he was projected to be, and that's not necessarily any fault of his own.

With that said, Jets Country is riding with Wilson as its START of the week. Meanwhile, running back Dalvin Cook is the SIT of the week.

START: Garrett Wilson, WR

His value certainly dropped when Rodgers went down, but this is a receiver who still managed 83 receptions for 1,103 yards with four different quarterbacks in 2022.

Wilson is responsible for the Jets' lone two offensive touchdowns of the season thus far. He made a circus catch scoring grab against the Bills before taking a slant 68 yards to the house at Dallas. 

The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly had a second touchdown against the Cowboys. The precise route runner ran himself open in the end zone but the pass was affected by pressure and fell short.

The team's clear-cut No. 1 receiving talent should get a heavy volume of targets whenever the Jets decide to throw the ball. He could find a favorable matchup against a depleted Patriots' secondary on Sunday. Cornerback Marcus Jones landed on IR this past week and Jonathan Jones was downgraded to OUT with an ankle injury on Saturday.

Even with possible inclement weather hitting MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Wilson is still an easy start. In fact, I would argue that, as long as strong winds are not present, wet conditions can actually favor the receiver over the defensive back. 

SIT: Dalvin Cook, RB

With the sad state of the running back situation being what it is across the fantasy football landscape, Cook is most likely rostered in your league. Any team relying on him, however, is in trouble. 

The veteran did not have much of a training camp to ramp up and he has looked a step slower in two appearances thus far. Cook has gained only 40 yards on 17 carries while splitting the workload with Hall.

The costly fumble against the Cowboys certainly didn't boost our confidence level in the aging ball carrier. If you have to play Cook, pray for an unexpected touchdown or a couple big gainers in the screen game.

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Ralph Ventre
RALPH VENTRE

Ralph, a former college football conference administrator, brings 20 years of media experience to the New York Jets beat. Prior to concentrating on Gang Green, he covered the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for NFL Draft Bible on FanNation. Ventre remains as an official voter for the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the annual legacy awards. The Fordham University graduate is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. The veteran sports media professional resides in his native state of New Jersey.