Fantasy Football Impact of Russell Wilson Trade For Jerry Jeudy, Tyler Lockett, Tim Patrick, DK Metcalf, More
Getty Images. Pictured: DK Metcalf, Russell Wilson and Jerry Jeudy (left to right)
Even last season, the Broncos' roster was a quarterback away from being scary, so Russell Wilson reportedly being traded to Denver is big news for all involved. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2015, the Broncos finished 22nd or worse in points in each of the past six years. Meanwhile, Wilson's Seahawks posted an average ranking of 11th — which suggests a major boost for the touchdown equity of Denver skill players.
Jerry Jeudy sees the biggest boost after scoring just three TDs in his first 26 pro games. The 6-foot-4 Tim Patrick could become a legit double-digit TD threat after scoring 11 over the past two years. And Courtland Sutton should rebound after scoring just two in 17 games last season. Jeudy is the best bet and moves into WR2 territory. I'm not sleeping on Patrick either, as he looked like a better WR than Sutton last year. Patrick and Sutton are both WR4/FLEX options since they could cancel each other out, but each have WR2 upside as well — my early lean is to Patrick.
Wilson doesn't have an elite track record with TEs, but Albert Okwuegbunam is one of the more talented TEs in the league and could become a top-10 option due to playing time alone after playing less than 50% of the snaps in his first two years behind Noah Fant. It's early, but I would rank him on the TE1/2 borderline for now.
The one thing to keep in mind is that with four talented options, there will be a lot of variance in terms of their pass-catching production from week to week. Even though I'd rank them Jeudy, Patrick, Sutton at this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see that order flipped or scrambled. And with Okwuegbunam also a factor, there will be four mouths to feed and many weeks where multiple guys will bust.
Melvin Gordon (10) and Javonte Williams (seven) combined for 17 total TDs last year. That number could soar higher even if the Broncos become more pass-heavy, simply because of more positive game scripts; if Gordon is not retained and Williams becomes the lead back, look out. Williams is still on the RB1/2 borderline for now, but would have a case for top-doc value if Gordon isn't brought back.
On the Seattle side, this is brutal for DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Both were likely to finish with top-20 ADPs come August, but now it's conceivable neither finishes inside the top 20 without Wilson. I'd worry a bit more about Lockett, who is entering his age-30 season and has a strong connection with Wilson. Metcalf was less consistent than Lockett at times last season, but he is entering his prime for his age-25 season. As of now, I'd have Metcalf as a mid/low WR2 and Lockett as a WR3.
Noah Fant's value remains largely unchanged for now — he was a tough sell as a TE1 and that shouldn't change in a Seahawks jersey.
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