Jets' Aerial Connection Wows SI Fantasy Writer

Could be beneficial to stack Gang Green's QB1 and WR1 on your roster

NFL Preseason games don't count in the "real" standings, but they can serve as a good source of information for fantasy football managers ahead of their drafts.

Despite a limited number of first-teamers active during the final weekend of exhibition games, SI Fantasy's Kyle Wood made a list of observations headlined by the New York Jets' aerial connection between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Garrett Wilson.

The fantasy guru called Rodgers "the star of the weekend" in his latest post entitled "Preseason Week 3 Fantasy Takeaways: Aaron Rodgers Looks Good in Green."

Rodgers completed five passes during an abbreviated appearance against the New York Giants and three of them found their way into Wilson's hands. The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year totaled three receptions for 30 yards and the game's first touchdown. Wilson nearly had a fourth catch on a play down the field, but settled for a 22-yard chain-moving defensive pass interference penalty.

Excerpt:

Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson Make it Look Easy

The connection between Rodgers and Wilson was evident across two series Saturday. The four-time MVP targeted the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year on his first pass attempt and the two connected for a 10-yard gain. Two plays later, Rodgers looked to Wilson again, this time for a six-yard pickup.

On New York’s next drive, Rodgers threaded the needle on a third-down pass to Wilson, who couldn’t come down with the catch but drew a defensive pass interference call kept the drive alive. Less than a minute later, Rodgers capped off the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Wilson on a beautiful back shoulder throw. That was it for those two. Rodgers targeted Wilson on three of his eight pass attempts, plus the deep shot when a flag was thrown. 

Fantasy managers are clearly excited about this connection considering the campaign Wilson put together with less accomplished quarterbacks than Rodgers. Wilson is being drafted as the WR10 in the middle of the second round and Rodgers is coming off the board as the QB12 in the ninth.

— Kyle Wood

Wilson holds WR10 status in SI Fantasy's positional player rankings. He gained 1,103 yards on 83 receptions in 2022 in spite of subpar quarterback production. His four touchdown receptions could potentially double or triple with Rodgers engineering the offense.  

Rodgers, who threw 26 TD passes during a "down" year statistically speaking, averaged 37 scoring strikes per season for the Green Bay Packers over a three-year span working with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

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