Garrett Wilson is a must-start fantasy WR1 in Week 9

Week 9 of NFL football features a Monday night battle between the NY Jets and Los Angeles Chargers. 

The game is already significant as we hit the midway point of the season with the Jets sitting at 4-3 and the Chargers at 3-4. This could be a game that eventually decides playoff seeding for these teams later this year. 

As fans start to set their fantasy lineups for this one, one name jumps out for the Jets as a must-play player: Garrett Wilson. Below are some reasons why Garrett Wilson must be in your fantasy lineup this week. 

Garrett Wilson’s hot streak

It was a slow start to the year for the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, posting just 12 catches for 165 yards in his first three games. He was held under 50 yards twice in that stretch. More importantly, that’s only three catches for 55 yards per game.  

In the last four games, Wilson has been much better, getting more targets, catches, and yards per game. In those four games, Wilson has 27 catches for 304 yards. That’s almost seven catches for 76 yards per game. 

In the last two contests, Wilson has posted eight catches for 90 yards and seven catches for 100 yards. Each week, the relationship and trust between Garrett and Zach Wilson have been improving, and I expect that to continue this week against the Chargers.

Chargers struggles against the pass

Currently, the Chargers rank as the 31st overall defense, allowing over 390 yards per game, and already have given up 20 total touchdowns. Against the pass, the Chargers rank dead last, allowing just under 300 passing yards per game.

Travis Kelce went for 179 yards against the Chargers, Ceedee Lamb had 117 yards, Davante Adams had 75 yards, Justin Jefferson had 149 yards, and Tyreek Hill had 215 yards.

Although Wilson might not be in that top echelon yet, he is just below the likes of Adams, Hill, Jefferson, and Lamb. To think he couldn’t duplicate that type of performance would be foolish, as he most certainly can.

Wilson squared

The other piece of the puzzle fans must acknowledge is that Zach Wilson has been playing better football in the last four games as well. 

Since his disaster of a performance against New England, Wilson has posted good games against the Chiefs and Eagles and has been average against the Giants and Broncos. 

Zach doesn’t need to be other-worldly for Garrett Wilson to succeed and have good games. He just needs a large target share and the opportunity to catch the ball in space. For the last four weeks, Zach has been capable of doing that.

Going against a bad Chargers defense this week, I expect the trend to continue. Zach and Garrett Wilson should both have good games this week, especially because the Jets need them to.