The Dynasty Impact of Russell Wilson Being Traded to the Broncos

In one of the biggest trades in recent NFL history. The Seattle Seahawks traded away Russell Wilson for a package that included two first-round picks, Noah Fant and Drew Lock. It is the end of an era in Seattle. They have now moved on from every player from their 2014 Super Bowl team. The Denver Broncos, on the other hand, is hoping to move past years of subpar QB play. They’re hoping Russell Wilson is the final piece they need to be a Super Bowl contender. This trade not only seismically altered the NFL landscape but the fantasy one as well. This article will examine how this trade affects each player on the Broncos and their dynasty value. 

Russell Wilson

ADP: QB11 My Rank: QB9

Wilson is the only future hall of fame QB in NFL history to be traded in what could still be viewed as his prime. It is an absolute monster of a deal. One that drastically changes the future of the NFL and these two franchises. In terms of fantasy, it’s a mixed bag for Russell Wilson.

The Broncos have a very talented offense with young weapons across the board. Jeudy, Sutton, Patrick, Hamler, and Okwuegbunam. Nathaniel Hackett is the new head coach coming from Green Bay. Where he was the offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. In addition, he played a pivotal role in Aaron Rodgers winning the NFL MVP back to back years. This can be seen as positives, but I’m hesitant to bump Russell Wilson too far up my rankings. Russell Wilson has not looked like one of the best QBs in the NFL since week 10 of the 2020 season. Since then, we have seen a steep decline in his passer rating. Last season his QBR was only 54.7, which is slightly above average QB play. Furthermore, Russell Wilson has always been a low-volume passer averaging only 474 pass attempts a year for his career. His fantasy value is derived from his efficiency and scoring opportunities.

The Bronco offense is excellent, but I don’t think they are better than what Wilson has had the last couple of years in Seattle. Unless this change in scenery comes with a massive hike in passing attempts, I question whether this will provide a significant uptick in fantasy points. His Superflex DLF ADP of QB11 and 21.00 player overall feels a bit light for a premier NFL QB, as he is a much safer pick than Lance or Fields. 

Teddy Bridgewater

ADP: QB40 My rank: QB36

There isn’t much to be said about Bridgewater here. He is a free agent, which ensures he won’t be a Bronco next season unless he is willing to be a backup and take a significant pay cut. Even if he goes somewhere else, he is likely only to be a short-term bridge QB as another team looks to develop another starter. He can be ignored entirely in 1QB leagues, but any potential starter has value in Superflex leagues. Overall, his Superflex ADP QB 40 and 202.75 player suggests people already view him as a backup. Not a bad buy in case of an injury because he will likely at least compete for a job this offseason. 

Javonte Williams

ADP: RB4 My rank: RB3

There is no player in the NFL riding a more significant wave of fantasy hype, which was the case before the Russell Wilson trade. This trade will likely further boost William’s value in most people’s eyes, and his ADP of RB4 and 24.75 overall will likely depend on whether Gordon comes back. If Gordon resigns, that ADP will likely remain the same, possibly moving down slightly. However, if he doesn’t, Williams will probably fly up draft boards approaching likely an early 2nd round Superflex ADP and push for the RB2 spot behind Jonathan Taylor. This is an aggressive market for an RB who didn’t have a full-time role his first year. He looked terrific in that role, though, averaging 4.4 yards per carrying and totaling 1219 scrimmage yards. Most importantly, he showed promising pass-catching potential, hauling in 43 passes for 316 yards.

Whether or not Gordon comes back will not likely change my view of Williams much as he is only 21 years old, and Gordon going into his 8th season is likely at the very end of his career. Being a massive ageist at the RB position, I’m fine being aggressive, targeting Williams at his lofty ADP rather than draft a more proven player such as Chubb, Mixon, or Ekeler, considering these backs are likely at the tail end of their careers. 

Melvin Gordon

ADP: RB42 My rank: RB35

Melvin Gordon put another excellent fantasy season finishing as the RB22 in fantasy, which wildly exceeded his preseason expectations. In terms of fantasy, Gordon has always been a player that people love to hate (including myself), but he has met or exceeded expectations nearly every year of his career. That being said, he will turn 29 this off-season and be playing in his 8th NFL season. Historically you see a reasonably significant drop-off in production when RBs reach this age. The fantasy world is aware of this, which is his ADP is down to the 42nd RB selected. If he returns to the Broncos, he could be an excellent buy for a contender looking for a flex player. On the other hand, if he signs with another team, his fantasy value will entirely depend on how much he is featured in the offense. 

Jerry Jeudy

ADP: WR32 My Rank: WR16

Before the Russell Wilson trade, Jeudy was turning into one of the bigger fantasy disappointments in recent memory after coming to the NFL with high expectations. Many viewed Jeudy as a can’t miss prospect, but after coming off a somewhat promising rookie campaign, Jeudy struggled mightily in 2021. In the first week of the season, he missed the next six games, injuring his ankle. He struggled with Denver’s mediocre QB play upon his return, only clearing double-digit PPR points 3 times after Week 8. Fortunately, this trade was a godsend for Jerry Jeudy truthers out there like myself.

Jerry Jeudy has all the talent in the world and should be playing with a much better QB than he has ever played with before. He flashed with over 850 yards as a rookie and struggled last year with every other Denver pass catcher. I don’t think he possesses the WR1 upside I once thought, but I’m moving him way up my rankings in the hope he becomes the WR1 for Russell Wilson.

Courtland Sutton

ADP: 45 WR Rank: 35

Sutton is another Denver receiver with a weird couple of years in the Mile High City. After reaching top 12 dynasty WR status according to many rankers before the 2020 season, he tore his ACL against the Steelers in week two and didn’t return the rest of that season. Coming into the 2021 season, many still viewed him as the WR1 in the Broncos offense. This didn’t work out either, as he didn’t manage a single double-digit PPR game with Jeudy in the lineup. Before this trade,  Sutton was drafted as an afterthought in fantasy drafts as WR45, but this news should give Sutton a significant rebound in value. He is only 26 years old, and if he stays healthy, he could have WR2 upside. Currently, I have him as my WR35, but he could move up further with positive camp reviews. However, if someone is buying into the hype too much, I would sell for any first. 

Tim Patrick

ADP: WR76 My Rank: WR62

Tim Patrick is a wonderful story. He has exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations becoming a significant part of the Denver offense in the last two seasons. Before signing on to Denver’s practice squad in 2017, Patrick had stints in Baltimore and the 49ers but was let go by both teams before the season. Since fighting his way up from the practice squad. He has operated as Denver’s WR2 on numerous occasions each of the last seasons. Largely due to injuries for Jeudy and Sutton. In 2022 he will struggle again to maintain a consistent role with everyone healthy. However, if Jeudy or Sutton were ever to get hurt again. He would immediately have top 30 WR upside. Patrick makes for an excellent buy at the tail end of your fantasy drafts. I’ll likely pick up a couple of shares this off-season. 

Albert Okwuegbunam

DLF Rank: TE24 My Rank: TE12

The new Twitter darling of the off-season. Okwuegbunam’s value exploded with the news that Fant is no longer with the team. It makes me a little nauseous to rank Albert as a top 12 dynasty Tight End. After all, he managed two games last season with more than 10 PPR points. The TE landscape outside of the top 10 guys is very uninspiring. Just based on Albert’s athletic profile in a high-powered offense, he deserves to be ranked relatively high. I have him as my TE 12 right behind Hunter Henry, but I would understand if you wanted to bet on the upside.

You can Follow Emerson on Twitter @Dynasty_Analyst. And keep your eyes peeled for more articles coming soon.