The New York Jets traded wide receiver Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, meaning Xavier Gipson, who has four catches for 23 yards on the year on seven targets, will move into the WR3 role in New York behind Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson with Allen Lazard (chest) on Injured Reserve. While Gipson's role should expand in the short term, the 23-year-old probably still isn't worth a waiver-wire pickup in standard-sized, 12-team fantasy leagues. In his first NFL season in 2023, Gipson caught 21 of his 38 targets for 229 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (three starts). Expect the Jets to utilize more two-tight end sets with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert with Williams gone and Lazard still sidelined.
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson is listed ahead of third-round rookie Malachi Corley as a starter on the team's first released depth chart. It's worth noting these depth charts aren't official yet, but team reporter Rich Cimini said Gipson has worked ahead of Corley during training camp. Gipson went undrafted out of Stephen F. Austin last year, but he was active for all 17 of New York's games and caught 21 passes for 229 yards. He also turned in 830 total return yards and one punt return for a touchdown. Star wideout Garrett Wilson figures to be the clear target hog in the New York offense, but Allen Lazard, Gipson, Corley, and Mike Williams (knee) could all make an impact as secondary options for Aaron Rodgers in what should be an improved passing attack.
New York Jets wide receiver/kick returner Xavier Gipson (leg) will miss a week or two of training camp with a "lower-extremity" injury. Head coach Robert Saleh said that Gipson injured his leg in practice on Thursday. The 23-year-old second-year player finished his rookie season last year with only 21 receptions for 229 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games played, but he also worked as the Jets' primary kickoff and punt returner on special teams. He's going to have to stay healthy this summer to hold off the likes of Tarik Cohen and Isaiah Davis for the return jobs, though. Even if Gipson wins WR3 duties for the Jets this year, he's unlikely to be much of a fantasy option, even with quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury.
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson "made plays throughout OTAs and minicamp and seems to have taken a leap forward after a year of NFL experience," according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Rosenblatt even suggested that Gipson might have a leg up on the No. 3 receiver role over Malachi Corley, the fast-rising rookie who has turned some heads during camp but is still adjusting to NFL speed. If Gipson does open 2024 ahead of Corley on the depth chart, he'll still fall behind Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams in the pecking order. As a result, the second-year receiver is merely a bench option in deeper redraft leagues.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said wide receiver Xavier Gipson still has "first dibs" on the kick-return job this year, but that it's also an "open competition" involving former Pro Bowl return man Tarik Cohen. Saleh said the soon-to-be-signed running back is an "explosive playmaker" and remembers it being "a nightmare" trying to defend with the Chicago Bears. Cohen could be intriguing with the league's new kickoff rules, starting in 2024, but the 28-year-old speedster is going to need to finally stay healthy to put himself in a position to make an impact for the Jets on special teams. Gipson, a former undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin, returned 33 punts for 319 yards and a touchdown and 22 kickoffs for 511 yards in his rookie campaign in 2023 as the Jets' primary return specialist.
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson secured his only target for a three-yard gain and turned his lone carry into a nine-yard score against the Houston Texans in a Week 14 victory. The rookie, who surprised with five receptions and 77 receiving yards last week, was less involved on Sunday with Zach Wilson at quarterback but continues to operate as New York's WR2. His next opportunity will come against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Although he won't be a recommended starting option, Gipson should be stashed in dynasty leagues and could be worth a look in deep redraft formats.
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson tallied a season-high 77 receiving yards last week and will be looking to carry that momentum into a Week 14 showdown with the Houston Texans. Gipson has seemingly taken over WR2 duties in New York and Sunday's contest will be his first in this role with Zach Wilson under center. The rookie will hope to capitalize on a favorable matchup as the Texans have given up the seventh-most passing yards per game in 2023. Although he should remain on waiver wires in most redraft leagues for now, fantasy gamers should keep an eye on Gipson's utilization this week.
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson recorded five receptions for 77 yards on six targets in a Week 13 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. This was the best showing yet by the rookie, who has seen his snap counts rise in recent weeks. He secured a deep ball from starting quarterback Tim Boyle for a gain of 36 yards in the second quarter and later came down with a 25-yard pass from Trevor Siemian. Although New York's struggling offense keeps Gipson off the fantasy radar in most redraft leagues, he'll be worth monitoring in dynasty formats as Allen Lazard is seemingly being phased out. The 22-year-old will hope to carry this momentum into a Week 14 matchup against the Houston Texans.
Mecole Hardman Jr., Xavier Gipson Active For Week 6
New York Jets wide receivers Mecole Hardman Jr. (coach's decision) and Xavier Gipson (ankle) are officially active for Sunday's clash with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hardman makes his return after being a healthy scratch last week. Meanwhile, Gipson will suit up despite being listed as questionable. Both players are merely depth options and should not be rostered in redraft leagues.
Xavier Gipson Wins Game With Punt Return In Overtime
New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson did not record a catch in his regular-season debut but led the team to a victory over the Buffalo Bills with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime. Despite logging very few offensive snaps, the undrafted rookie became a hero in an unlikely win for the Jets, who lost star quarterback Aaron Rodgers (ankle) to injury early in the first quarter. Gipson will remain off the fantasy radar as a receiver, but his abilities on special teams could provide even more upside to starting the Jets DST in fantasy leagues.
Xavier Gipson
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Jets
