The Green Bay Packers won 30-14 on the road against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. Despite being riddled with injuries, namely young stud quarterback Jordan Love, the Packers were able to lean on a dominant rushing attack to pull out the win. Josh Jacobs, star acquisition in the offseason, has been carrying the load for the Cheeseheads most of the season. But, against the Titans, a new face broke through with a breakout performance: Emanuel Wilson.
Must-Add Fantasy Football Player from the Packers
Green Bay Packers Emanuel Wilson went 12 for 50 on the ground and added another 2 for 35 in the air. While the production is solid, what is more interesting was his usage: tying Josh Jacobs in total touches. Head Coach, Matt Lafleur, has always valued a running back room by committee where he can use multiple players rather than relying on a single bellcow approach. LaFleur, reported by Draft Sharks, was quoted before the seasoning saying:
“Philosophically, no matter who the runner is, typically we like to platoon those guys, whether it’s two guys or three guys,” LaFleur said. “I just think it allows the RBs to stay fresh throughout the duration of the season. It’s a very violent position they play.”
In fantasy football, a running back who carries the majority of the team’s attempts is becoming less and less common. More commonly, LaFleur’s approach is to share the ball and the backfield. This makes rostering and playing “backups” or “complement players” a valuable approach.
The Packers tried to find a complement back in the offseason when they drafted electric rookie running back Marshawn Lloyd from USC. Unfortunately for Lloyd believers, he went down with an injury in week 2. With AJ Dillon already injured and LaFleur wanting to share the workload, Emmanuel Wilson got his shot and made it count. Wilson made a 30-yard house call on a screen pass to score his first NFL touchdown.
Keep that ball!
Emanuel Wilson scores his first NFL TD 🙌
📺: #GBvsTEN – Sunday on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/0TW8INVcwc— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Packers Twitter erupted with excitement for the young running back.
Packers’ Emanuel Wilson looks like the real deal at RB2 https://t.co/ygVUkPDjY8 pic.twitter.com/pgej3t6NGQ
— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) September 24, 2024
That excitement is well-founded. Wilson showed burst, explosion, and shake in his 1st real workload at the NFL level. In fact, Ian Hartitz of MB Fantasy Life has him with the highest percentage of missed tackles forced this season, suggesting Wilson has the shimmy needed to continue his success.
Best/worst RBs in missed tackles forced per touch this season (min. 25 touches, PFF)
1. Devin Singletary (41%)
2. Zach Charbonnet (36%)
3. Bucky Irving (33%)
4. Emanuel Wilson (32%)
5. James Conner (29%)
6. Chuba Hubbard (28%)
…
35. Alvin Kamara (11.2%)
36. Travis Etienne…— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 24, 2024
Wilson is not only an emerging fantasy player, he is likely available in your league. Sal Vetri tweeted that Emmanuel Wilson is available in 97% of leagues. So, unless you’re in an ultra-deep league, live in Wisconsin, or happen to play fantasy football with Emmanuel Wilson himself, the young running back is likely available on your waiver wire.
10 RBs to target on your waiver wire in fantasy football:
• Roschon Johnson: 99% available
• Tyrone Tracy: 97% available
• Emanuel Wilson: 97% available
• Tyler Allgeier: 76% available
• Bucky Irving: 65% available
• Braelon Allen: 64% available
• Ty Chandler: 62%…— SAL VETRI (@SalVetriDFS) September 24, 2024
As long as Josh Jacobs is healthy, I don’t expect Wilson to be a top-15 option. However, with Matt LaFleur wanting to share the workload, with Jacobs having injury concerns from overuse in the past, and with Jordan Love expected to return from injury in a week or two, and Emmanuel Wilson being an explosive player on what should be a high-powered offense, he is a priority add to your roster.
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