Jets Offseason Breakdown: Receivers - Sign or Draft Help For Garrett Wilson?

Atop the priorities for the New York Jets this offseason is acquiring a receiver partner for Garrett Wilson.

As with every offseason, each position group has its own unique sets of questions each organization must answer.

For the New York Jets, as has been the case for the better part of 13 years, the only question worth asking is if each position group is strong enough to end a decade-long playoff drought.

Throughout the next few weeks, we'll break down exactly where the Jets are regarding each position as they enter the 2024 offseason, and their expectations entering a new NFL season. Along the way, we'll drop some targets the organization could consider taking and some of the questions that need to be answered.

Today, we center the breakdown towards a receiving room that is in desperate need of a talent influx behind its top star. 

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Jets Wide Receiver Breakdown

2023 Season In Review

Grade: B-

Let's start with the positive, shall we?

While there are things he certainly wants to improve, Garrett Wilson had an excellent sophomore season after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. 

95 catches, over 1,000 yards receiving while being the only true weapon out wide is beyond impressive for a mature player like Wilson. 

Here's the problem, though - not a single other receiver made even close to the level of production their top receiver did. 

Corey Davis retired before the season ended, and Allen Lazard, despite signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets in the offseason, couldn't even catch 30 passes. Undrafted free agents were thrust into major roles despite not having enough on tape, and New York's passing offense, one of the worst in modern history, struggled to simply score points. This group needs help in 2024. 

Wide Receivers On Roster: Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Xavier Gipson,  Jason Brownlee, Irv Charles, Malik Taylor

Pending Free Agents: Randall Cobb

Important Questions

Just how good can Garrett Wilson be with Aaron Rodgers?

Before last season began, I predicted that Wilson would not only catch over 100 passes with Rodgers, but he would set the record for targets in a single season. 

His 168 targets with four different quarterbacks were impressive, but it was over 40 short of Marvin Harrison's record of 205. 

I think he could blow through that number again with a full offseason with the Hall-of-Fame quarterback in tow. It just is a matter of how good Wilson wants to be. He has all the tools and professional mindset to be an all-time great Jet. 

Can Allen Lazard be salvaged in New York?

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We've already mentioned the horrific year Lazard had in 2023. He dealt with injuries, poor play, and was even benched at one point late in the year. 

While some of the conversations should rightfully be attributed to not playing with the quarterback he has worked with his entire career, the Jets need to see more from a receiver who was paid to his stature. 

Is he salvageable? That remains to be seen, but adding another top veteran could be extremely helpful for him. 

How will development for the undrafted free agents look?

Jason Brownlee, Xavier Gipson, and Irv Charles all had moments that impressed coaches and fans during the preseason. As many expected, they dropped off once they started to face real NFL competition. 

New York has done a good job of developing talent, especially the undrafted rookies in the past, but how much better are the trio going to be after a full offseason? 

The Jets would be foolish to allow themselves to think any of them would be enough to pass on the position group.

Realistic Targets

Free Agency

Tee Higgins

Odell Beckham Jr.

Curtis Samuel

Dependability is the top key for the Jets to find with any free-agent wide receiver. The top name, as many expect, is Tee Higgins. While there is a chance Cincinnati decides to franchise tag him, it's a lot of money for a one-year rental. He would be a 1b to Wilson's 1a pretty easily. 

OBJ and Samuel are two veteran receivers who have battled injuries but can be dependable pass catchers with Rodgers at quarterback. Both have put up respectable numbers and should alleviate some pressure off of Lazard.

Jets Offseason Breakdown: Running Back - Breece or Bust?

NFL Draft

Ladd McConkey

Brenden Rice

Jamari Thrash

Close your eyes, Jets fans. Imagine Gang Green cannot just sign Tee Higgins to a contract, but draft a slot demon like Ladd McConkey in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

How strong a room would they have with a pocket-passing quarterback like Aaron Rodgers in the fold? 

Other big-name receivers like Brenden Rice and Jamari Thrash could also be late-round names to watch also. 

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