Can you Still Rely on Jets' Skill Players Breece Hall, Dalvin Cook, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard

The Aaron Rodgers’ injury was a devastating blow to the New York Jets and their Super Bowl aspirations. The Jets still won the opener against the Buffalo Bills in overtime, but it wasn’t because of an explosive offense, insteading relying on stout defense and a game-winning punt return.

With Rodgers now out for the season, many fantasy owners are wondering how it affects any skill players they might roster from the Jets. Let’s take a look at some of those players, how their stock is affected post-Rodgers and who remains a viable fantasy starter.

Sync your league with the Fantasy Assistant to get rankings, waiver help, trade suggestions, optimal lineups, and more. Not sure Who You Should Start? We can help. Utilize our fantasy football trade analyzer for trades.

Breece Hall Fantasy Outlook

I think Hall benefits most from Rodgers' injury for fantasy purposes. Hall was electric in the opener, gaining 127 yards on only 10 carries. He ripped off runs of 26 and 83 in the first half.

Hall was second to Dalvin Cook in carries on the team, but that’s likely to change moving forward as Hall continues to get stronger and stronger post-injury. Hall added a 20-yard reception in the opener and finished with well more than double any other Jet’s yards from scrimmage.

With the Jets sticking with Zach Wilson at quarterback, at least for the time being, the running game will be the focal point of the offense. If Wilson can at least keep defenses honest, Hall will be able to go against less defenders in the box, which opens the opportunity for even bigger games.

Hall is the 32nd-ranked running back in the FantasySP week 2 running back projections, one spot above Cook. Hall is projected at five attempts, 32 yards and 0.3 touchdowns on the ground, while at 1 target, 0.8 catches and 13 yards as a receiver.

Dalvin Cook Fantasy Outlook

Even with Hall getting the most touches on the team moving forward, I still like Cook from a fantasy perspective. The Jets are going to play things as safe as possible with Hall, which benefits Cook. For the next couple weeks, both backs could get 10+ attempts in the running game.

Cook got 13 attempts in the opening game, gaining 33 yards and two first downs for the Jets. He was targeted three times in the passing game, catching all three for 26 yards and another first down. He was second on the team in yards from scrimmage.

Cook was on the field for 27 offensive snaps to just 17 for Hall.

Cook is projected for 12 rushing attempts, 42 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. He’s set for three targets as a pass catcher, with 2 receptions 10 yards and 0.1 touchdowns.

Garrett Wilson Fantasy Outlook

Garrett Wilson should be the receiver that dominates the targets while Zach Wilson plays quarterback. Garrett Wilson caught all five of the passes thrown his way for 34 yards and an incredible touchdown grab on a poorly-thrown fade route pass from Zach Wilson. None of Garrett Wilson’s production came on throws from Rodgers, so he’s the early favorite to be the quarterback’s top option, especially with some history of playing together in 2022.

Garrett Wilson’s stock definitely took a hit with Rodgers' injury, but I still think Garrett Wilson is going to be worth a start in most weeks. Garrett Wilson caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards and four scores in 2022 while catching passes from Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mike White and Chris Streveler.

Many Garrett Wilson fantasy owners probably hoped the Jets would sign a veteran quarterback to replace Zach Wilson, and that still could be coming, but you shouldn’t panic and give up on Garrett Wilson. He’s talented enough to produce with any quarterback.

Garrett Wilson is projected at seven targets, 5 catches, 65 yards and 0.4 touchdowns in week 2. He’s the 16th-ranked receiver.

Allen Lazard Fantasy Outlook

Lazard’s fantasy aspirations took probably the biggest hit of any Jets’ player following Rodgers’ injury. Lazard was one of the players that Rodgers specifically asked for after being traded to the Jets, and now he and long-time Green Bay Packers’ teammate Randall Cobb are without the future Hall of Fame quarterback all season.

Lazard played in 42 offensive snaps against Buffalo in week 1. He was targeted two times in the passing game, catching two for 46 yards. Similar low catch but higher average games could be what lies ahead for Lazard. Being the No. 2 wideout on the team, Lazard should still get enough targets, but will likely fall behind Hall, Garrett Wilson and Cook for touches on a weekly basis.

Lazard is the 46th-ranked receiver heading into week 2. He’s projected at five targets, 2.9 catches, 40 yards and 0.3 touchdowns.

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

Tight ends Tyler Conklin and C.J Uzomah were the only other skill players on the Jets’ roster to play over 50% of the offensive snaps in week 1. Conklin finished with one reception and 2 yards, while Uzomah was not targeted.

Those numbers definitely aren’t super encouraging for their long-term fantasy outlooks. Conklin finished the 2022 season with 58 catches, 552 yards and three touchdowns, so he’ll have his weeks where he is a fantasy asset, but it’s likely to be inconsistent. Uzomah caught 21 passes for 232 yards and two scores, and another similar season is probably in the cards given the circumstances.

Conklin is projected for four targets, 2.4 catches, 24 yards and 0.1 touchdowns in week 2. Uzomah is projected at 0.8 catches, 9 yards, and 0.1 touchdowns.

Zach Wilson Fantasy Outlook

Finally, let’s talk about the new/old quarterback for the Jets. Zach Wilson completed 14 of his 21 attempts in relief duty of Rodgers. Those completions went for 140 yards and a touchdown. The third-year quarterback threw an interception and attempted four rushes for 6 yards.

Rodgers was brought in after Zach Wilson turned in an unimpressive 2022 season. He threw more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6), but did lead the team to a 5-4 record in his nine starts.

Zach Wilson is the 31st-ranked quarterback for week 2, with projections of 17 completions on 30 attempts, going for 181 yards. His touchdown passes and interception total are both 0.9. 

Who To Start In Week 2?

While Rodgers’ injury hurts the value of the Jets as a whole, there’s still a couple positions that should be decent fantasy options in 2023.

Despite some good skill players around him, stay away from Zach Wilson at all costs. If you had Rodgers and there aren't any other QB options on the waiver wire, Zach Wilson can be on your roster in case he turns the corner, but I wouldn’t start him until he proves multiple times that he can take care of the ball and produce. A matchup against the Dallas Cowboys and their defense that blanked the New York Giants in week 1 is certainly not a matchup that boost’s Zach Wilson’s stock.

I think Hall and Cook are both starting options at the RB or flex spots most weeks. This week’s matchup against the Cowboys isn’t a great one, but they are going to each get double-digit touches unless the game is a blowout, so I’m comfortable starting either guy if you don't have any other obvious starting backs on your squad..

Garrett Wilson is the only other player on the team I would consider starting most weeks. He’s going to dominate the targets in the passing game, and should be Zach Wilson’s favorite target in the red zone, so a touchdown could always bail you out if his catches and yardage fall below their projected marks.

Lazard, any other wideout, Conklin and Uzomah are all players to keep an eye on, but I wouldn’t feel confident starting any of them. They'll have weeks where they put up starter-worthy numbers, but others where they are blanked. Your roster spot is in better shape if you fill it with a non-Jets' player.