Inside Aaron Rodgers's Fantasy Value as Jets' Starter
There won't be any 100-yard rushing days and probably no 400-yard passing performances, either.
Even without massive yardage projections in store, New York Jets' field general Aaron Rodgers can still prove worthy of QB1 status in fantasy football leagues.
One key reason is touchdown passes. Even during a "down" statistical season in 2022, Rodgers connected on 26 scoring strikes to rank seventh on the NFL leader board. He has averaged 37 passing TDs per season over the past three years.
At 39 years old, Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, has dropped into the teens when it comes to fantasy quarterback pre-draft rankings. Team managers will find the future Hall-of-Famer residing anywhere from QB12 to QB18 on the experts' position-by-position lists.
In his springtime Top 200 Fantasy Rankings, Sports Illustrated's Michael Fabiano placed Rodgers (QB16) at No. 117 overall. That standing translates in to a 10th-round ADP for 12-team leagues.
According to a pair of SI analysts, Rodgers provides a good, late-round value who could sneakily help a team to a fantasy title.
A panel of experts identified six "under-the-radar" fantasy quarterbacks who "can still post sufficient numbers" and both Jennifer Piacenti and Craig Ellenport chose the Jets' decorated starter.
From "Six Quarterbacks You Can Get Late in Your Fantasy Draft (and Still Win)":
Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Jennifer Piacenti, SI Fantasy/Betting Analyst: Aaron Rodgers is coming off the board as the QB17, and I am taking that pick all day, every day. A change of scenery already looks good on Rodgers who got a haircut and has been seen at Knicks games with Sauce Gardner. The four-time MVP also has a clear WR1 again in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, in addition to having veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb now in New York. The threat of Breece Hall in the running game will keep defenses guessing, and Rodgers, the fantasy QB5 in 2021 and the fantasy QB2 in 2020, will exceed his 2023 draft day ADP.
Craig Ellenport, SI Fantasy/Betting Sr. Editor: Reunited with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers is ready to return to fantasy relevancy. The last time these two were together, Rodgers passed for 4,115 yards and 37 TD passes. Those numbers would have made him the QB4 last season, ahead of Joe Burrow. Rodgers seems to be genuinely motivated to make it work with the Jets, and this offense has enough quality weapons to support its new quarterback.
Current ADP value: 10th round
The other five quarterbacks on the list are Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Geno Smith (Seahawks), Deshaun Watson (Browns), Jared Goff (Lions) and Anthony Richardson (Colts).
In 2022, Rodgers posted his lowest single-season passing average (217.4 ypg) since becoming the Green Bay Packers' starter in 2008. He threw for 26 touchdowns and was intercepted 12 times.
From 2018 through 2021, Rodgers posted four 4,000-yard passing campaigns.
By waiting to take their first quarterback until later in drafts, fantasy managers can add one more key skill position player before the cupboard is bare while also landing a sufficient QB1.
Should you miss out on an elite fantasy QB like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or Jalen Hurts, then the "wait for Rodgers" strategy could be worth a try.
READ MORE:
Jets' Offseason Addition: Gadget Player or Every-Down Receiver?
Sports Illustrated Selects 'X-Factor' for Jets
Exploring Rodgers' Projected Season Totals
Fantasy Football 2023 Updated Position Rankings
Most Difficult to Most Winnable: Ranking Every Game on Jets' Schedule
