How did receiver Garrett Wilson dominate as a rookie for the New York Jets in 2022?
Jets rookie receiver Garrett Wilson had an impressive 2022 season (83 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns). He also won the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. How did he accomplish these amazing feats for Gang Green?
Wilson broke into the scene in the second game of the season against the Cleveland Browns with 8 catches for 102 yards. He caught a 2 yard pass from Joe Flacco for a touchdown to tie the score at 7 at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. And then he showed his astounding acceleration when he blew past a defender for a 15 yard TD to tie the game at 30 with 25 seconds left in the 4th quarter. The PAT would give the Jets the win.
In Week 8 against New England, he had a tremendous game with 6 receptions for 115 yards. He set the tone in the 1st quarter when he caught a 54 yard throw from quarterback Zach Wilson all the way into the Patriots 15 yard line.
Garrett dominated Chicago in Week 12. He caught an 8 yard TD reception from Mike White in the 1st quarter and in the 2nd quarter, he used his speed to outrun several Bears defenders for 54 yard score. He finished the game with 5 catches, 95 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Wilson was unstoppable in Week 13 versus Minnesota. He caught a pass from Mike White in the fourth quarter, broke a tackle by Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan and nearly scored a TD after running by defenders for 60 yards. He had 8 receptions for 162 yards.
In the final game of the season at the Miami Dolphins, he had 9 catches for 89 yards with an inept Zach Wilson throwing him the football.
The Browns game was when Wilson opened everyone’s eyes. His acceleration was the reason why he scored the two touchdowns in Cleveland’s endzone.
He caught deep passes over the middle of the field against the Vikings and Bears to gain huge amounts of yards.
And he broke tackles and got yards after the catch such as the Vikings game and the Week 18 Dolphins game.
Acceleration. Breaking tackles. Yards after the catch. These attributes are why Garrett made history when he set Jets records for most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie. Plus he was voted the number 74 player in the 2023 version of the NFL Top 100. With these accomplishments and his skills, he will continue to be a dominant receiver for Gang Green in the future.
