When the New York Jets drafted wide receiver Garrett Wilson 10th overall, high expectations were universal. The highly touted young prospect with exorbitant potential was to be a long-term mainstay and focal point of the Jets offense.
Throughout this offseason, Wilson has shown glimpses of his unique talent in training camp and preseason. He looked ready to take on an immediate role in the attack from the jump.
However, in Week 1, Wilson only played 49% of the Jets’ snaps offensively, most of which came late when the game was out of control.
Wilson was clearly frustrated with his lack of playing time in the regular season opener. With more opportunities, you knew he would be up to it.
And yesterday was a whole different story for the rookie. Wilson played important reps for the Jets early and throughout the baseball game.
Garrett Wilson shows a colossal advantage in Game 2 alone:
Wilson saw 14 passes come his way in Week 2 of his freshman year. He caught eight. The wide receiver recorded his first of many 100-yard receiving games. Wilson concluded yesterday’s contest with 102 yards through the air. His longest reception of the day was 31 yards. Finally, Wilson scored two touchdowns, both in the red zone, and his second was the winner for the Jets.
There were so many standout aspects of Wilson’s game that came out yesterday that it’s hard to choose where to start. He showed his all-round skills which will make him a challenge to defend for years to come.
Whether on the outside, in the slot or in tight divisions, Wilson has created separation for himself from the entire roster.
Not only did Wilson win from multiple pre-snap lineups, but he made plays all over the court and at every level. He caught passes from below, on the middle and deep levels, inside and outside the numbers, as well as in the red zone.
Wilson’s natural ability to generate an effortless split with his combination of speed and athletic quickness when given space to operate was evident.
The contested catching and ball skills that Wilson possesses were on display. Although this resulted in an incompleteness, the first target Wilson had in the match, he showed his ability to jump and make a hard grab with his strong hands in the air. He just landed out of bounds on a deep road.
While it may not have worked out due to a lack of space, Wilson also had an opportunity in the gimmick game yesterday as Mike LaFleur crafted an ending for him. It’s just another element of Wilson’s already versatile skill set.
The final two points to discuss with Wilson are his visible efforts and emotions as well as his obvious mental toughness.
Wilson was certainly full of energy after his two touchdowns. His reaction to the Jets recovering the kick in play with 1:22 to go was also invaluable. He put in maximum effort on tough plays, including the pop ball on the outbound road he ran near the Jets sideline in the third quarter, which held him up a bit. difference. Wilson clearly has the drive and the desire when it comes to winning.
Finally, with his mental toughness, Wilson had a tough third fall with the Jets late in the fourth quarter. Despite the fall, Wilson was unfazed. He came back and caught the last two passes Joe Flacco completed that day. Of course, most notably, Wilson hit the game-winning touchdown for the Jets in a clutch situation.
He’s a young star just getting started.
