NY Jets WR Garrett Wilson named Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

Jets fans stuffed the ballot boxes following Wilson’s breakout performance

What a week New York Jets rookie receiver Garrett Wilson had.

The cherry on top of an eight-reception, 102-yard, two-touchdown performance is Rookie of the Week honors. The award is a formality after Wilson broke out, showcasing his advanced route-running skills and understanding of how to set up a defensive back.

.@nyjets WR @GarrettWilson_V has been voted as the @Pepsi Zero Sugar @NFL Rookie of Week 2: https://t.co/QwOX9Z2wql #ROTW

— NFL345 (@NFL345) September 22, 2022

The great sign about Wilson is that he’s not resting on his laurels.

Garrett Wilson said he got hundreds of messages on Sunday.

Wants to keep building on what he did in Week 2: “I’m not even close to satisfied.”

Felt like he could’ve played better. Was “multiple occasions” he could’ve got open faster. #Jets pic.twitter.com/dT5Ts07qDx

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 21, 2022

The Jets drafted Wilson for his obvious talent, but also for his character and work ethic. Robert Saleh has built a culture of just those things in East Rutherford. Wilson slides right in. He’s an “All Gas, No Brake” player.

Wilson came into this season as the Jets’ No. 4 receiver on the depth chart. He had a lot to prove to take snaps away from Braxton Berrios in the slot. In Week 1, Wilson played minimal snaps in the first half, but he showcased his elite yards-after-catch ability by turning a one-yard desperation dump-off into a near-first down.

In the second half, Wilson played his way into the conversation. After the game, Mike LaFleur acknowledged that the rookie needed to be more involved.

And involved he was in Week 2. Wilson saw more targets (14) than Elijah Moore and Corey Davis combined (9). He not only played his way onto the field but possibly from the No. 4 receiver into the No. 1. He’ll be out there in 12 personnel. You can’t keep that kind of route-running combined with YAC explosiveness on the sidelines.

There is the possibility and likelihood that the Bengals key in on Wilson in Week 3. While Denzel Ward was blanketing Elijah Moore for most of the Browns game, the Bengals don’t have such a lockdown corner. This may be the Moore coming-out party as the Bengals roll their coverage towards Wilson.

Either way, the sky is the limit for the receiver Tyler Conklin and others have compared to Justin Jefferson. Chalk this up to the first of many superlatives to come for Garrett Wilson.