Can the Jets be Fantasy Football Darlings? Where Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and More Stand

In my lifetime, I've never been “up” on the New York Jets. From Vinny Testaverde to Chad Pennington to Mark Sanchez to Sam Darnold to Zach Wilson, unexciting quarterbacks have cycled through, and the Jets have nary been a contender. That extends to fantasy football, where there have been good skill players, but I've never been heartbroken to miss out on any Jet.

So, why am I so intrigued by New York in the lead up to the 2025 season? I don't think they are going to win big or even compete for the playoffs, but the Jets have a group of skill players in position to put up at least respectable fantasy numbers, and they have built up the offensive line in a way that signals better times might be coming.

Let's look at the top Jets player at each fantasy position and how they can finish the season as starting-level fantasy players. I'll start by talking about that O-line, then we'll go to the guys in question who you can pick up in your fantasy draft and where they are likely to be selected.

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Offensive Line

Here are New York's expected starters and where they were drafted:

• Left Tackle Olu Fashanu, 11th overall in 2024
• Left Guard John Simpson, fourth round in 2020 (Raiders)
• Center Joe Tippmann, 43rd overall in 2023
• Right Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, 14th overall in 2021
• Right Tackle Armand Membou, seventh overall in 2025

Simpson is the only guy taken outside the top 50 picks, and he has been a multi-year starter in the league. He was rated as an above-average guard in 2024 by Pro Football Focus in run blocking, pass blocking, and overall. Vera-Tucker had similar positive results by PFF measures, but injuries have been his biggest problem; if he can stay on the field, he has been a successful lineman. Tippmann was a very good run blocker but a weaker pass blocker last year (according to PFF).

Having a rookie and a second-year player at the tackle spots is dangerous. Even the best offensive tackles generally struggle their first few years as they adapt to the NFL; having young players at both spots could be asking for trouble. Fashanu graded out below average in every facet last season, something that can be scary for a left tackle. Given their pedigrees, though, they should improve as the season progresses and even show flashes of their big potential.

According to ESPN's measure, the Jets were 23rd is pass block win rate and 29th in run block win rate last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see them improve to an average group if they can stay healthy this season (which is far from a given). It's not the most glowing review, but New York could be adequate, something that's not always attainable for the Jets.

Justin Fields, Quarterback

The new man under center for the Jets is Fields, the former 11th overall pick in 2021 who flamed out with the Bears and was bumped out of the starting lineup for Russell Wilson last season in Pittsburgh despite a quasi-successful first six games. Now, he gets every chance to lock down the starting job with Tyrod Taylor backing him up.

Fields was fantasy QB7 over those first six weeks of 2024. He didn't have his bye during that time while some others did, but Fields reached 245 and 312 passing yards in two of those games, had five touchdowns and just one interception, and added an average of 38.5 rushing yards per game and scored five touchdowns on the ground.

The latter aspect is most important. I often stress that running quarterbacks are better fantasy players than those guys who don't run, and there aren't many passers who fit the mold of “running quarterback” better than Fields. In his biggest year, 2022, Fields ran for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns; that added up to a QB6 finish despite only 2,242 passing yards.

A bet on Fields is a bet that he will play a lot and run the ball, something that seems very feasible on this Jets team. My recent look at draftable fantasy QBs showed Fields as a guy being taken toward the end of fantasy drafts. He is a late-round flier with top-10 potential, and while that outcome might not be the most likely, it's a worthy bet given the low cost.

Breece Hall, Running Back

Hall's value has some direct ties to Fields. Studies have shown that running backs can actually improve their performance next to a running quarterback, even though the prevailing thought is those QBs will steal touches. Touchdowns are probably the biggest area of impact, but TDs are always about luck, and it's hard to know who will get the most chances at the end zone.

There are a few colloquial reasons for improved RB play next to a running QB. First, if the defense has to worry about the quarterback keeping the ball, they can't put as many resources toward stopping the running back, giving him more room to run. Second, those guys who run are sometimes not as adept at throwing the ball (like Fields), so the team will be more likely to focus on the run and even scheme some shorter passes, which favors RBs catching the ball.

With those factors pointing in Hall's favor, he might be ready to have a breakout year, kind of like Saquon Barkley did with a stud offensive line and a running QB in Jalen Hurts next to him. Hall isn't going to run for 2,000 yards (probably), but he does have a good chance to break 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

He also has gained 1,074 receiving yards and scored seven times through the air over the past two years, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him put up similar numbers (around 500 yards and four scores). After being a clear first-round pick in fantasy drafts the past few seasons, he is projected in the third round this year. That drop makes him a potential steal in fantasy drafts and a player I am targeting due to his diminished draft position.

Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver

The passing game is more of a question with Fields in the fold. I'm not overly excited about Wilson in the fourth round, but that's also a much better value and creates upside rather than when he was being drafted in the first and second rounds the last two years.

Wilson has topped 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons and scored 14 total touchdowns. That was while catching most of his passes from Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, and old Aaron Rodgers. Fields isn't a major step down from those guys, and I expect similar numbers from Wilson.

That makes him a guy worth considering at his current ADP and a player I don't mind having on my team, especially with Fields able to air it out a little bit off play action, something that might lead to some big gains.

Mason Taylor, Tight End

Taylor was drafted 42nd overall in this year's draft. Most likely, he will only be fantasy relevant in the best matchups and will show flashes but not consistency. Give him a few years to develop.

He also should work as the starter immediately because there isn't much talent on the depth chart behind him. Taylor was part of a strong draft class of tight ends and seen as a very good athlete who can help stretch the field. If Fields is throwing the ball deep, Taylor has a chance to sneak out for a few big plays.

I'm not recommending drafting Taylor or counting on him for anything but don't be surprised if he has some good games and creates fantasy buzz heading into 2026.

Conclusion

I don't love the Jets this year, but I also don't hate them as much as I have in previous seasons, and that extends to the fantasy world. Fields and Hall are squarely on my fantasy radar, and Wilson is a player I wouldn't mind grabbing, though I prefer guys like Tyreek Hill, Terry McLaurin, and Mike Evans in the same draft range.

If you have an aversion to New York Jets in your fantasy draft, I get it; shell shock isn't easy to overcome. Don't immediately poo-poo those players this year, though, and consider grabbing these guys if the board falls that way.