Garrett Wilson on the receiving end of Jets' praise
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson after defeating the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 18, 2022. Credit: AP/Kirk Irwin
As the Jets wait for one Wilson to get healthy and prove he can lead this franchise, another Wilson already looks like he’s destined to be a star.
Receiver Garrett Wilson had a breakout performance in Sunday’s stunning win in Cleveland. He showed he can be a go-to player and focal point of the offense in only his second NFL game.
Wilson was targeted 14 times by Joe Flacco and caught eight passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. His second TD and the subsequent extra point was the game-winning score.
After the game, cornerback D.J. Reed compared Wilson to Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, one of the best young receivers in the NFL. Jefferson’s old teammate Tyler Conklin said he saw that right away.
“A lot of us were asking D.J. what receivers have been tough to cover. He always said Justin Jefferson,” Conklin said, “I was like well, Garrett, they move similar, the way they have those lanky strides. They’re slippery, kind of like Euro-stepping down the field. I see a lot of similarities there, just his ability to go up and get the ball after the catch. He’s just so dang slippery.
“I think it was just a matter of time before he broke out like he did.”
No one within the Jets was surprised. They selected the 6-foot, 192-pound Wilson with the No. 10 overall pick and believe he has the tools, athleticism and mental makeup to be a star.
“Garrett Wilson is a great player and I think we all kind of understood that,” defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers said. “Turn on his college tape. As a team we fully believe in him and we understand what he can do, given the opportunity. He got an opportunity [Sunday]. We’re all happy for him. That’s just one game. You have to continue to build on that.”
The Jets believe teaming Wilson with last year’s second-round pick, Elijah Moore, and veteran Corey Davis gives them a versatile and dynamic receiving corps that will help Zach Wilson in his growth and development.
The second-year quarterback is out until at least Week 4 as he recovers from a bone bruise in his right knee and a torn meniscus. The Jets are confident Wilson can become a franchise quarterback, but he’ll have to make a big leap after a rough rookie season.
The other Wilson made his presence felt quickly for the Jets. Garrett Wilson was only on the field for six first-half snaps in Week 1 and finished with four grabs for 52 yards against Baltimore.
The coaches acknowledged that Wilson should have played more. He started against the Browns and rewarded the coaches for their trust. Even after he dropped a critical third-down pass in the fourth quarter, the Jets continued to go to him and he delivered.
“For him to be able to stay focused and continue to make plays, it says a lot about him,” Flacco said.
Wilson will continue to be involved in Mike LaFleur’s offense. The way the Jets are built, though, LaFleur has many places he can go with the ball. The Jets’ exciting young running back duo of second-year pro Michael Carter and rookie Breece Hall have had good moments the first two weeks.
The Jets envision Zach Wilson, Moore, Garrett Wilson, Carter, Hall and second-year guard Alijah Vera-Tucker growing together within this system and being franchise cornerstones.
Aside from Wilson’s physical skills, the organization and his teammates have been impressed with his attitude and approach. They think Wilson is mature for a 22-year-old rookie.
“He knows how to be a rookie and just go out there and play and earn your stripes,” Conklin said. “He’s just a good dude. He made up for the drop obviously, going out there and clinching that game. We all have good and bad to our game. I think he’s definitely very mature for his age. He doesn’t seem to have that diva in him., He’s just a really good dude and a really good football player.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
