Garrett Wilson is creating space for the New York Jets
New York Jets rookie Garrett Wilson is enjoying an impressive start to his rookie season. Through four games, the 10th overall pick has 20 catches for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and 10 first downs.
When you dig deeper into Wilson’s analytics, it is revealed that he is playing even better than his production indicates.
Two different analytics writers – Pro Football Focus’s Timo Riske and ESPN’s Seth Walder – reported that Wilson ranks among the two best route-running wide receivers in the NFL, according to a pair of different metrics that aim to evaluate route-running performance.
Riske says Wilson leads the NFL in route success rate against “man single coverage” at 54%. That is well beyond the 30% league average for wide receivers.
Garrett Wilson leads the league at 54% https://t.co/LJ5O1UqUqV
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) October 4, 2022
Walder says Wilson ranks second among wide receivers in “expected yards per route run based on route profile”. With a mark of 1.84, he trails only Deebo Samuel, who Walder notes has an inflated mark due to his heavy dosage of screen passes.
Top 5 WRs in expected yards per route run based on route profile, assuming opponent runs coverages at average rates:
1. Deebo Samuel, 1.95 (inflated by screens)
2. Garrett Wilson, 1.84
3. Romeo Doubs, 1.79
4. Cooper Kupp, 1.76
5. Nelson Agholor, 1.76— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 4, 2022
These metrics certainly align with what we’ve seen on film from Wilson. He is winning his routes at an absurdly consistent rate. With savvy technique and outstanding explosiveness off his break step, Wilson is getting open at will.
It was well-known that Wilson had this kind of potential in the NFL – he was selected 10th overall for a reason – but few thought Wilson would explode this early in his career. Only four games in, he is already the Jets’ favorite target in the passing game.
Wilson’s meteoric rise is a pleasant surprise for the Jets. Thanks to his elite route-running ability, he is already a tremendous quarterback-elevating asset for Zach Wilson.
