Aaron Rodgers's Welcome Gift from the Jets

The four-time NFL MVP has the chance to collaborate with one of the game's rising stars

© Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Whether he knew it or not, the New York Jets had a special welcome gift waiting for Aaron Rodgers.

Prior to completing a trade for the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Gang Green did some gift wrapping by securing receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in free agency. The two proven veterans were selected to serve as complementary pieces to the Jets' WR1, whose presence should make any quarterback smile.

Every Batman needs a Robin and Garrett Wilson has already shown the ability to be that guy in the Jets' offense. Despite dealing with quarterback play that was dismal at times, Wilson burst onto the scene by going over the 1,100-yard receiving mark and winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2022.

Primed to potentially take another next step up in the NFL receivers' hierarchy, Wilson looked impressive during springtime OTAs by multiple accounts, including that of his head coach.

"He’s having a really good OTA, he’s a juicy route runner. He’s gotten a lot stronger. And his mental makeup, his internal drive is second to none, so I’m excited for him this year," said Robert Saleh back on May 31.

Wilson, the No. 10 overall pick at the 2022 NFL Draft, continues to display diverse route-running ability that allows him to gain separation in all areas of the field. He's a smooth operator who registered a 4.38s 40-yard dash time during Combine testing.  

Then, there's the lateral quickness that makes Wilson dangerous with the ball in his hands. As a rookie, he totaled 83 receptions and 384 yards after the catch.

With Rodgers in town, there's a possibility for Wilson to become the closest thing to Davante Adams on this side of the Mississippi.

Rodgers, who enters his 19th NFL season, instantly saw something different in Wilson during their first week of offseason work together.

"Obviously Garrett [Wilson], he's a talented guy," said Rodgers during a May 2 guest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. "I threw him a pass today [Tuesday]. I just kinda turned and was like ‘wow.’"

WR Garrett Wilson at OTAs / © Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports

The four-time NFL MVP-winning field general proceeded to highlight an observed similarity between the Jets' young talented pass-catcher and Adams, a three-time All-Pro First Team selection.

“His ability to kind of get in and out of his breaks. There’s another 17 [Davante Adams] I played with for a long time who does it better than anybody. The explosiveness, in and out of breaks, to the 17 here, is pretty similar,” said Rodgers.

It appears as if Rodgers became more impressed by Wilson over the course of OTAs. The former Super Bowl MVP offered a glowing assessment of the Jets' WR1 following the final springtime practice.

"We got at some point possibly the best corner [Sauce Gardner] and the best receiver [Wilson] in the NFL," said Rodgers. "There’s a legit possibility I think for those two guys. Maybe not this upcoming year, I still think that Davante (Adams) is in a league of his own, but those two kids are so talented."

Wilson, who made at least one reception in all 17 games, led the 2022 Jets in every major receiving category while doubling the amount of yardage gained by the team’s next-best pass-catcher. His 1,103 receiving yards ranked 15th overall on the NFL leader board, one spot ahead of D.K. Metcalf and only five yards behind Christian Kirk.

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Rodgers's presence is expected to boost Wilson's statistical production. SI Fantasy's Michael Fabiano has lifted Wilson into the No. 10 spot in his latest overall receivers rankings.

In June's Sports Illustrated national staff fantasy draft, Gang Green's second-year wide receiver went to Team John Pluym with the No. 13 overall pick. He was the seventh receiver taken.

Wilson, who played 79 percent of the Jets' offensive snaps last year, will likely see more targets as well as catchable balls in 2023. The team's collection of quarterbacks targeted Wilson 147 times in 2022, but ball placement was sometimes an issue.

Despite the inconsistency at the quarterback position, Wilson managed to move the chains more frequently than any other Jet. He recorded first downs on 56 of his 83 receptions. 

"He’s got some amazing body control," said offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who coached Rodgers and Adams during a stint with Green Bay. "I think his ability to get up on defenders and move them and then even when the ball might not be perfectly placed, be able to torque his body into different positions, it’s something that’s very special. He’s talented that way."

READ MORE:

SI Fantasy Analyst Suggests Garrett Wilson Breaks into Top Tier

Where the Jets Stand on Fabiano's Latest Top 200 Player List

2022 Draft Review: Garrett Wilson Becomes Instant WR1

Exploring Rodgers's 2023 Fantasy Value and Projected Season Totals