Considering an estimated 29.2 million people in the United States play fantasy football, I thought it would be fun to run a little exercise. Imagine you came in last place in 2024, and your punishment is that you, and only you can pick players from the New York Giants or New York Jets.
Harsh? Well, yeah, considering the two teams combined to win only 8 games last season. But at least you know you won’t have to sweat out drafting Malik Nabers or Garrett Wilson. That’s the scenario we laid out in order to select “The All-New York Fantasy Football Team”.
QUARTERBACK
Justin Fields
Unlike Mike Tomlin, I’m choosing Justin Fields over Russell Wilson. We still don’t know if Fields will ever consistently throw the ball downfield at the NFL level, but we do know he can consistently run the ball. In his previous four seasons with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, Fields has already rushed for 2509 yards and 19 touchdowns. Plus, Wilson has Jaxon Dart looking over his shoulder, and may not remain the Giants starter for all 17 games.
RUNNING BACK
Breece Hall
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
The two New York football teams plan on going three deep at running back in the upcoming season. Breece Hall will be joined by Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, while Tyrone Tracy Jr will share duties with rookie Cam Skattebo and veteran Devin Singletary. Despite this, Hall still profiles as an RB1, and Tracy as a solid RB2.
Last season Hall struggled with injuries and inconsistent play calling, but in 2023 he finished 6th overall among all running backs in Yahoo fantasy points. Meanwhile, Tracy finished 25th overall in his surprising rookie season.
WIDE RECEIVER
Malik Nabers
Garrett Wilson
Despite mediocre team results in 2024, Malik Nabers finished 6th and Garrett Wilson finished 10th among all WRs in Yahoo fantasy points. Both players are legitimate stars and worthy of WR1 consideration on any roster.
TIGHT END
Mason Taylor
This was the toughest decision, comparing Mason Taylor, the Jets second round pick out of LSU, and Theo Johnson, the Giants’ second year player out of Penn State. Rather than a coin toss, we found the following statistic:
In 2024, as Pittsburgh Steeler quarterbacks, Fields targeted his tight ends on 24.5% of his passes, while Wilson, running the same offense, targeted tight ends 13.5% of the time.
RB/TE/WR
Wan’Dale Robinson
Second toughest decision, as Wan’Dale Robinson barely edged out Braelon Allen. Robinson quietly had 93 receptions in 2024. However, he will need to improve on his 7.5 yards per catch and 3 touchdowns.
KICKER
Nick Folk
Hard to go against the ageless “Folk Hero” who returned to the Jets this summer. Nick Folk, now 40, made 21 of 22 field goals for the Tennessee Titans in 2024.
DEFENSE
New York Giants
Dexter Lawrence (9), Brian Burns (8.5) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (5.5) are the Giants three returning sacks leaders from 2024. Plus, they added rookies Abdul Carter, who had 12 sacks with Penn State, and Darius Alexander, who had 3.5 sacks with Toledo. Together in 2025, they should generate plenty of pressure, sacks and fantasy points.