When Brandon Jacobs’ seven year tenure as a Giant ended last March, the team immediately was in need of another RB that could share touches with five year veteran Ahmad Bradshaw. And assume even greater responsibilities if and when Bradshaw’s chronic foot problems sidelined him once again.
The Giants rectified the situation, by utilizing their first round draft pick on 5’10”, 206 pound David Wilson, who accumulated 4,349 all purpose yards while at Virginia Tech, and was the 2011 ACC Player of the Year. He also scampered for over 1,700 yards last season, while collecting 22 passes, and scoring 10 times. He later demonstrated his breakaway speed at the combine, by finishing the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.49.
Wilson will provide the Giants with a dynamic home run threat who is durable, and difficult to bring down. He also supplies a much needed insurance policy, should Bradshaw be forced from the lineup.
Bradshaw’s current ADP is 44, and he is included in the top 50 rankings that were created by members of the team here at fantasyknuckleheads.com: https://fantasyknuckleheads.com/fantasy-football-rankings/
But there is genuine reason for concern with the hard running veteran. He is currently recovering from the latest in a series of surgeries to his ankles and feet. But no medical procedure will permanently heal a problem that has persisted since college.
He was limited to 171 carries last year, which is a total that he has exceeded just once during his career. And he ranked just 29th in rushing with only 659 yards, while sharing touches with Jacobs. The lingering foot issues often reduce his participation in games, and have caused him to miss them completely. Since his problems will not magically subside, Wilson has an opportunity to share a sizable percentage of touches, and become a major contributor in his rookie year.
While Bradshaw is a tough runner who will not avoid contact, Wilson can provide a level of explosiveness that the Giants have not enjoyed at the position in recent years. He can accelerate quickly, and burst beyond opposing defenders. At a minimum, he should garner as many carries as the departed Jacobs, who averaged 150 in 2010-2011, once Bradshaw was thrust into an expanded role in the Giants’ offense.
The fact that Wilson is a smooth runner who can accelerate quickly, should enable him to generate some long gains. Plus, he should be employed in the Giants’ passing game more extensively than Jacobs, who averaged a meager 11.5 catches from 2008-2011. If he is allotted frequent opportunities to contribute to New York’s aerial assault, that will provide more chances for him to find the open field. Which will further enhance his big play potential.
The primary factor that could prevent Wilson from delivering a productive rookie year for fantasy owners is the presence of Bradshaw. The veteran is a proven talent, and Wilson’s output will be determined in great part by the degree to which Bradshaw is able to remain on the field. When Wilson does line up in the backfield, he must avoid the fumbling issues that plagued him last season, when he coughed the ball up seven times. Plus, if Wilson struggles in pass protection, that will serve as another deterrent to a successful season.
But he is an explosive athlete. And the Giants will employ him in the lineup, since they invested a first round pick on him. That makes him a definite sleeper candidate, who is worthy of an eighth or ninth round selection in your fantasy drafts.
For other sleepers who could help lead you to a championship, check out these options from other members of the team here at fantasyknuckleheads.com: https://fantasyknuckleheads.com/fantasy-football-sleepers/
