For about 5 days, we had unreal expectations for Malik Nabers this season with the considered the second-year receiver catching passes from Jameis Winston. However that dream is most probably over now that the Giants signed Russell Wilson on Tuesday to a one-year deal price as much as $21 million.
It is uncertain Winston will play a lot in 2025, and the Giants may nonetheless choose a rookie quarterback within the NFL Draft since they’ve the No. 3 general choice. But it surely seems like Wilson would be the starter for the Giants in Week 1, whereas Winston can be No. 2 on the depth chart.
Fantasy managers ought to have minimal expectations for Wilson, even when he is anticipated to start out each recreation this season. He is 36 (37 in November) and coming off a mediocre marketing campaign with the Steelers in 2024.
Wilson averaged 17.7 Fantasy factors per recreation in 11 video games within the common season. He accomplished 214 of 336 passes for two,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, and he added 43 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns, with 4 misplaced fumbles.
Wilson scored greater than 20 Fantasy factors simply thrice final season, however he additionally had 22 Fantasy factors within the playoff loss to Baltimore. He isn’t price drafting in one-quarterback leagues, and he is only a mid-round choice in Superflex and two-quarterback codecs.
Remember that Wilson has averaged fewer than 20 Fantasy factors per recreation for 3 years in a row (two seasons in Denver and one in Pittsburgh) since leaving Seattle after the 2021 marketing campaign. However his No. 1 job, at the least for Fantasy managers, is getting Nabers the ball — so much.
We knew Winston would do this given his historical past, however Wilson has a superb observe report along with his prime receivers as effectively. Previous to 2024, Wilson helped a number of receivers have standout campaigns, together with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin in Seattle, in addition to Courtland Sutton in Denver.
And final season, Wilson was nice for George Pickens once they first began enjoying collectively. Pickens scored at the least 16.4 PPR factors in 4 of his first six video games with Wilson below middle.
Nabers is coming off a wonderful rookie season in 2024 the place he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and 7 touchdowns on 170 targets in 15 video games. He averaged 17.7 PPR factors per recreation, and he did that with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito and Tim Boyle at quarterback.
Wilson is clearly an improve over all of these quarterbacks — as is Winston. After which we’ll see if the Giants choose a quarterback within the NFL Draft.
For now, Nabers is price drafting towards the again finish of Spherical 1 or the start of Spherical 2 in all leagues. The Giants may additionally add a receiver within the NFL Draft for competitors — perhaps Travis Hunter at No. 3 general? — however we are able to handle that later within the offseason.
The addition of Wilson and Winston is an improve for Nabers heading into 2025. It must also assist Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, however these receivers are solely price late-round picks within the majority of leagues.
