Gerris Wilkinson: Starting This Week (1 Viewer)

[PatsWillWin]

Giants rookie LB Gerris Wilkinson will start at weak-side linebacker against the Jets this weekend.

Carlos Emmons' neck injury could open the door for this third-round rookie to start at a high profile IDP spot. He's worth a look in deeper dynasty leagues.

Source: New York Post

I drafted this guy really late in my dynasty league's rookie draft. I wasn't sure if I should hold a roster spot for him once the cut-down deadline comes (in a week). Does this make Wilkinson a guy that should be held on to? How strong is Emmons' hold on the job when he gets healthy?

 

[Rozelle]

Giants rookie LB Gerris Wilkinson will start at weak-side linebacker against the Jets this weekend.

Carlos Emmons' neck injury could open the door for this third-round rookie to start at a high profile IDP spot. He's worth a look in deeper dynasty leagues.

Source: New York Post

I drafted this guy really late in my dynasty league's rookie draft. I wasn't sure if I should hold a roster spot for him once the cut-down deadline comes (in a week). Does this make Wilkinson a guy that should be held on to? How strong is Emmons' hold on the job when he gets healthy?

It would depend on how deep your league goes.

 

[houndirish]

It's premature to tab Wilkinson as the Giants starting WLB. The Giants already knew they were holding Emmons out of this game. Emmons has said he'll be ready for week 1 so methinks this is more a case of a rookie earning some significant preseason reps with the first team.

I wouldn't be surprised if Wilkinson beat out Brandon Short to be the principal backup to the WLB spot. The Giants coaches like what they've seen from the rook so far and Short is merely an average player. There's also some rumors that have been floated that if the Giants feel Emmons will suffer from this injury all season long then he might actually get cut to save room on the roster for some of the other LB's who've had excellent camps (Tyson Smith being one guy who comes to mind). However I'll really be shocked if this occurs. It might make sense for NY to cut Short and keep some of these younger guys but I'm sure the coaching staff will be gunshy about releasing proven veterans at the LB position after literally running out of bodies at the end of last season.

Wilkinson's definitely a guy to keep an eye on. He's significantly more athletic than anyone NY has had on the weak side in quite some time. Once he learns his assignments and garners more playing time he'll make his presence felt. I'll be surprised if he's not starting by next season so if you can carry him for dynasty purposes it's a good investment.

 

[gregjcross]

Of course, those of us that drafted him in rookie drafts are chomping at the bit now! The sobering part is that it seems with Coughlin's style dictates he would be sitting a while, weeks 1-5, and then phased in like young players should be. I really need this guy to play seeing the health of my other LBs.

It's premature to tab Wilkinson as the Giants starting WLB. The Giants already knew they were holding Emmons out of this game. Emmons has said he'll be ready for week 1 so methinks this is more a case of a rookie earning some significant preseason reps with the first team. I wouldn't be surprised if Wilkinson beat out Brandon Short to be the principal backup to the WLB spot. The Giants coaches like what they've seen from the rook so far and Short is merely an average player. There's also some rumors that have been floated that if the Giants feel Emmons will suffer from this injury all season long then he might actually get cut to save room on the roster for some of the other LB's who've had excellent camps (Tyson Smith being one guy who comes to mind). However I'll really be shocked if this occurs. It might make sense for NY to cut Short and keep some of these younger guys but I'm sure the coaching staff will be gunshy about releasing proven veterans at the LB position after literally running out of bodies at the end of last season.Wilkinson's definitely a guy to keep an eye on. He's significantly more athletic than anyone NY has had on the weak side in quite some time. Once he learns his assignments and garners more playing time he'll make his presence felt. I'll be surprised if he's not starting by next season so if you can carry him for dynasty purposes it's a good investment.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Giants rookie LB Gerris Wilkinson will start at weak-side linebacker against the Jets this weekend.

Carlos Emmons' neck injury could open the door for this third-round rookie to start at a high profile IDP spot. He's worth a look in deeper dynasty leagues.

Source: New York Post

I drafted this guy really late in my dynasty league's rookie draft. I wasn't sure if I should hold a roster spot for him once the cut-down deadline comes (in a week). Does this make Wilkinson a guy that should be held on to? How strong is Emmons' hold on the job when he gets healthy?

You meant, "How strong is Emmons hold on the job IF he gets healthy?"Emmons had trouble stay healthy last year, and he's already struggling to stay on the field this year. Lavar Arrington is not exactly an Ironman himself. Wilkinson has a chance to be decent depth in leagues that start 3-4 LBs this year, and could end up being a big part of the Giants plans in the future. He's worth keeping in any leagues with deep rosters (40+)

 

[cracKer]

Any opinions on Wilkinson's performance this week? He didn't provide much for the boxscore.

 

[houndirish]

Despite the Jets dopo announcers listing Brandon Short as the starter on the weakside (Emmons sat out), Wilkinson made the start and ran with the first teamers. Short didn't really get significant time until the 2nd half when he was actually pretty dominant against the reserves. Wilkinson wasn't as active in previous weeks but the Jets also had few sustained drives which will drive down any IDP'rs stats.

Wilk should see a ton of PT next week in the final preseason tilt as I'm sure the Giants will hold Emmons out of action. My view on the situation hasn't really changed. Emmons will be the starter but as we've seen he's hardly a lock for 16 games. Based on PT so far you could make an argument that Wilkinson is winning the 2nd string WLB spot over Short but it's a gamble. I think the Giants coaching staff, keenly aware that they have two brittle starting OLB'rs (Lavar and Emmons) want to get Wilkinson as much PT with the first team as possible to get him valuable experience and better evaluate him. They already know what they have in Short. Wilkinson likely doesn't hold much value in redraft for this season unless you want to take a really late flier on him and your league has deep rosters. However for dynasty purposes methinks he's a solid choice. Stash him on the roster. If you get any production this season, call it a bonus.