New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, but fantasy football owners are underestimating him following a difficult 2022 campaign, his final season with the Green Bay Packers.
"Rodgers is not among the first 10 quarterbacks or 100 picks in ESPN average live drafts," wrote ESPN's Eric Karabell. "OK, so Rodgers wasn't his normally awesome statistical self during last season. But he was far from bad. Rodgers was the No. 13 QB in PPR leagues. Rodgers is well positioned to be a top-10 quarterback this season, which is why I ranked him precisely this way."
In 17 games during his final season with Green Bay, Rodgers went 350-of-542 (64.6 percent) for 3,695 yards and 26 TDs, equating to 239.2 fantasy points, 25th among all players, via ESPN. Rodgers finished 13th or better in points scored every year before last season.
However, not all blame falls on the star QB. The Packers traded six-time Pro Bowl WR Davante Adams to the Raiders in 2022 and failed to find a replacement. Per Pro Football Reference, Green Bay tied for first in dropped passes (41) last season.
A lack of a true No. 1 wideout won't be a problem in New York since Garrett Wilson should be even better in 2023. In 17 games last season, the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year caught 83 receptions on 147 targets for 1,103 yards and four TDs.
Rodgers recently noted he sees similarities between Adams and Wilson.
"I don't say this lightly, but there are definitely traits that this 17 [Wilson] has that the special 17 [Adams] has as well," he said during the Hall of Fame Game.
"There are definitely traits that this 17 has that that special 17 has as well."
— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2023
Rodgers sees a lot of Davante Adams in Garrett Wilson.
: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/puOuFCCCfu
While Rodgers is a gamble in dynasty leagues given his age (39 years old), he could still serve as a fantasy QB1 and is an asset for superflex players.
Fantasy managers removing the future Hall of Famer from their draft boards is rash. He's retained plenty of value and could rebound with better playmakers.
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