Jets preseason shows fantasy upside for Garrett Wilson might be very low

Even though the New York Jets signed star wide receiver Garrett Wilson to a very expensive contract extension, the Justin Fields-led offense figures to be one of the more run-heavy attacks in the NFL this season.

While some fans may have been hoping to see a bit of the old Ohio State connection come back as Wilson and Fields tear things up in the preseason, the Jets instead decided to let the running game carry the offense while Wilson was kept off the stat sheet in their preseason duel against the New York Giants.

In two drives with the Jets' starters on the field, Tanner Engstrand ran the ball 14 times and threw the ball just five times. Fields completed just one of those passes for five yards in a sequence that was much less impressive than his first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

If this is any indication as to the kind of offense the Jets are going to run in the regular season, those who are expecting Wilson to put up elite WR1 production for their fantasy football team could be in for yet another disappointing season.

Jets WR Garrett Wilson may need to be avoided in fantasy football

Wilson has been quarterback-proof in his career to this point, putting up ultra-consistent 1,000-yard seasons despite having Zach Wilson as his starting quarterback for most of his professional career and an injured Aaron Rodgers as the unquestioned best quarterback he's ever had in the pros.

Wilson should put up similar numbers thanks to the volume of targets he is going to receive compared to the rest of the players in that pass-catchers menagerie. However, 2025 is not looking like the year that Wilson takes the leap from being a very good WR1 to a great one.

The good news for fantasy players out there is that the Jets plan to have one of the better rushing offenses in the league. Both Breece Hall and Braelon Allen reeled off strong runs in the preseason, with Allen in particular showing tremendous explosion and burst when he hits the hole.

The Jets weren't expected to be a very high-octane passing attack in the 2025 season, but with Fields still not showing a ton of progress as a passer, there's a good chance that the Jets rank at or near the bottom of the league in pass attempts. This puts a cap on Wilson's high-end receiving potential.

More NY Jets news and analysis: