New York Jets fans have been clamoring for a quality second receiving option that they could trust opposite Garrett Wilson since before the 2025 NFL draft.
After selecting just one wideout in the draft—fourth-round pick Arian Smith—and signing clear question marks at the position in free agency, it didn’t appear New York was truly in the market for that kind of player this offseason.
That all may be changing, though. And the Jets may have the Jacksonville Jaguars to thank.
Gabe Davis offers Jets’ R’ real WR2 Threat
The Jets know what kind of impact Gabe Davis can have on a team. The former fourth-round pick from Central Florida was the second receiver on the Buffalo Bills for four years.
During that time, he was the immediate second option on their offense behind All-Pro standout Stefon Diggs. Unfortunately, the good times didn’t last in Orchard Park, NY.
After signing a free agent deal with the Jaguars last season, Davis struggled to see the field due to injuries and ineffective play and was released on Wednesday.
Davis has recorded 189 catches for under 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in his five-year career. He could be a quality second option on the open market in any offense with a legit No. 1 wideout.
That is something the Jets have at their disposal.
Garrett Wilson, the former offensive rookie of the year, is the first player in team history to record over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three years in the league. He has been consistent since he arrived as the 10th pick from the 2022 draft.
New York desperately needs another receiver to run with him, though.
Now, as a free agent, Davis may be the perfect remedy for that.
When it comes to the Jets and their fans, though, they really want a second receiver who can catch the football consistently. Allen Lazard’s drop rate of 10% was one of the worst in the league last year.
Davis has had his share of drop issues throughout his career, but his 5.9% rate is significantly lower than that of Lazard. Add in that Davis’ 16.2-yard-per-reception average is among the highest in the league, and he could easily be a no-brainer option for the Jets in free agency.
Don’t count on a signing, though
Despite all the positives that could come from a signing like Davis for the Jets, don’t expect one to be made.
First off, Davis has spent time with quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence in his career.
Justin Fields, however, way New York fans feel about him, is nowhere near the kind of passer either quarterback is now. He has no incentive to go to an offense that isn’t going to target the second receiver spot a lot.
There’s also the reality that if the Jets wanted to address the receiver position in free agency, they probably would have already done it. So many receivers have been available this offseason that could have feasibly been in their conversation as a second wideout.
New York ignored them all. Well, except for Tyler Johnson and Josh Reynolds.
Davis would be the perfect kind of WR2 that other teams around the league (that don’t have an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player) look for. He isn’t a Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, but he has the play speed to immediately impact the field.
It might not be what the Jets are looking for now.
At the very least, Gabe Davis is a perfect New York Jets’ WR2 candidate to play alongside Garrett Wilson.
