Garrett Wilson has been perpetually underrated throughout his New York Jets career.
Four years of putrid quarterbacking will do that to a wide receiver.
But the disrespect has reached a new low.
On Wednesday, ESPN unveiled the results of a survey of more than 70 league coaches, executives, and scouts that ranked the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL.
Wilson did not make the top 10. That is not surprising, but here’s the catch: he wasn’t even listed among six honorable mentions. In fact, he was fifth in line among the players listed in the “also receiving votes” section, implying he placed 21st overall in the survey.
Here are the players listed before Wilson.
Top 10:
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
- Puka Nacua, Rams
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
- George Pickens, Cowboys
- Nico Collins, Texans
- A.J. Brown, Eagles
- Davante Adams, Rams
Honorable Mentions:
- Malik Nabers, Giants
- Mike Evans, 49ers
- Zay Flowers, Ravens
- Tyreek Hill, free agent
- Drake London, Falcons
- Jameson Williams, Lions
Also receiving votes:
- Alec Pierce, Colts
- Tee Higgins, Bengals
- DK Metcalf, Steelers
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders
- Garrett Wilson, Jets
Statistically speaking, Wilson’s ranking actually isn’t shocking. Since entering the league in 2022, Wilson ranks 26th among wide receivers in receiving yards (3,644). So, if the voters were ranking receivers based on fantasy football, Wilson’s placement makes sense.
Context, though, should make it obvious that Wilson is a better player than his stats let on—if the eye test wasn’t already enough to get that point across.
Wilson has seen targets from nine different quarterbacks in four seasons with the Jets. Not one of those quarterbacks had a passer rating above the NFL average during their time with the Jets.
To boot, his routes have been called by coordinators like Mike LaFleur, Nathaniel Hackett, and Tanner Engstrand.
The cherry on top is that Wilson has been surrounded by less help at the wide receiver position than perhaps any other No. 1 wideout in the NFL.
Since Wilson entered the league, the Jets’ second-leading receiver is running back Breece Hall, whose 1,642 yards are less than half of Wilson’s 3,644. Their second-leading receiver among wideouts is… Allen Lazard, with 911 yards, which is precisely one-quarter of Wilson’s total.
With that type of “help”, opposing defenses have had an easier time doubling Wilson than any wide receiver in the league.
To recap, Wilson has battled a carousel of bad quarterbacks, a carousel of struggling coordinators, and not even marginally competent teammates on the outside.
It’s no wonder that his stats pale in comparison to most other receivers in the top-tier conversation. You can only catch so many passes when your quarterbacks can’t throw, your coordinators are getting out-schemed, and the defense can shade help in your direction on every play.
The fact that Wilson began his career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons in spite of those circumstances, and was well on his way to a fourth before a season-ending injury, should make it clear that he is far more of a difference-maker than his cumulative numbers suggest.
Nonetheless, it appears that even key decision-makers inside the NFL continue to insist upon rating Wilson according to his box-score statistics.
Such is life in a sport where context often gets thrown to the wayside. That’s expected among casual fans on social media, but it’s surprising to see the same logic utilized by people in the league.
It should only serve as more fuel for Wilson, who hopes to finally generate the type of numbers that will get him the respect he deserves. In 2026, he will catch passes from Geno Smith, who is capable of being the first above-average quarterback of Wilson’s career.
Over the last four seasons, Smith has a 93.2 passer rating, which is above the NFL average over that span (90.5) and better than any of the nine quarterbacks who have thrown passes to Wilson.
Smith also seems to profile as a solid fit with Wilson, and the same goes for new Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich. In the past, the veteran OC has relied heavily on dig routes in his scheme, which also happens to be one of Smith’s most efficient route types as a passer. That bodes well for Wilson, who is an expert on those route types, but has been routinely missed by inaccurate intermediate passers like Justin Fields and Zach Wilson.
Smith also has an argument to be the best deep passer that Wilson has played with. Wilson has produced marginal results as a deep receiver in his Jets career, despite consistently creating solid separation down the field. He’s just been waiting for a quarterback who can drop vertical throws in the bucket, and Smith can do it.
In 2024, with Smith as his quarterback, Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf led the NFL with 16 deep receptions. Wilson’s career-high for deep receptions is just 7.
For many reasons, Wilson seems poised for a breakout statistical season in 2026. Perhaps this will finally be the year when his national hype catches up to his raw talent.
