Depending on who you talk to, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is either one of the best receivers in the league today or one of the most overrated players at his position.
There is simply no in-between.
Yet, as the Jets prepare for their first season under head coach Aaron Glenn and with a new quarterback in Justin Fields, Wilson’s impact should remind many analysts and fans of another elite wide receiver—one who has gone through a very similar career arc to the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Top 10 WR consideration
To start, Wilson is the first Jets receiver in franchise history to record three-straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his NFL career. This has come with seven different quarterbacks throwing him the football over that span.
His numbers—including last year’s 101-catch, 1,100-yard, and seven touchdown season—may speak of an elite player, but they also mask some issues the young receiver experienced.
Whether it was a career-high drop rate at 4.5% or untimely fumbles, Wilson’s impact last season had some people accepting a concept that, while he was a good wideout, he was never going to be a true No. 1 target.
The struggles Wilson went through, though, should remind Jets and NFL fans of another strong receiver.
Washington Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin.
For years, “Scary Terry” was the single offensive piece to the Commanders’ offense. He found a way to be a genuine WR1, though, despite the lack of proven signal-callers that Washington provided him.
The one year he was able to find a top quarterback to play with him (last season), he set a career-high in touchdown receptions (13) and was an All-Pro.
Like it or not, quarterbacks matter when discussing the top 10 receivers in the game. While we can comment all we want about Wilson playing with Aaron Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP was clearly a shell of himself for most of the 2024 season.
Wilson has yet to play with a consistent quarterback he can trust, and in a system that can strategically get him open.
That may be changing this season, though.
Whether playing with his old college quarterback or being in a system that uses pre-snap motion more than other teams around the league, Wilson is in an offense that can maximize his skill set.
And should that happen. The New York Jets’ top wideout, Garrett Wilson, No. 5, will firmly take his place as a top 10 receiver in the NFL.
