"Garrett possesses a tremendous work ethic, displaying excellent practice habits and extraordinary natural talent. His lateral quickness is truly remarkable, and he boasts impressive speed, running the forty-yard dash in the 4.3s. It's evident that he possesses a comprehensive set of skills. I am thrilled to be here, assisting in his development, although it's worth noting that he already possesses a high level of proficiency."
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Aaron Rodgers recently expressed his admiration for Garrett Wilson during a Rise and Schein podcast episode, comparing the second-year receiver's character to that of Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and James Jones. Wilson's abilities immediately caught the attention of the future Hall of Famer despite him being on the verge of only his second year in the NFL. Notably, Wilson showcased his skill set even without Rodgers in 2022.
Among rookie wide receivers, Wilson stood out, leading the pack in receptions and yards, which led to him being awarded the 2022 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. This achievement is particularly impressive, given the lackluster performance of the quarterback rotation. Despite the subpar play, Wilson remained productive, although his fantasy output may have been somewhat limited. However, with the addition of Aaron Rodgers and the expected growth of second-year wide receivers, Wilson's potential is limitless. Consequently, he has the opportunity to surpass expectations and potentially outperform his current Average Draft Position of WR9 in the early offseason.
The Aaron Rodgers of it All
While players bear the primary responsibility for their personal growth and improvement, it is crucial not to underestimate the impact of the improved situation in New York. In 2022, the Jets' passing game struggled, despite the presence of a creative offensive scheme that occasionally exploited opposing defenses. Collectively, the Jets quarterbacks completed just 56.9% of their passes for 4,040 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. They managed to score a touchdown on a meager 2.4% of their attempts and averaged a mere 6.4 yards per attempt over 627 throws. Although they ranked 15th in yards per game, their 27th-place ranking in yards per attempt is telling. Furthermore, the team's average passer rating of 75.0 was dead last in the league.
On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers, despite experiencing a slight decline in 2022, performed significantly better than the Jets' quarterbacks.
| Category | Aaron Rodgers | 2022 Jets | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 3,695 | 4,040 | -8.54 |
| Completion % | 64.60% | 56.90% | 13.53 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 6.8 | 6.4 | 6.25 |
| Touchdowns | 26 | 15 | 73.33 |
| TD% | 4.80% | 2.40% | 100.00 |
In 2022, Rodgers showcased his continued excellence in attacking the intermediate areas of the field. He particularly excelled when making throws beyond ten yards and specifically toward the boundaries. His exceptional timing and anticipation have established him as one of the best in the league in this aspect. However, Wilson did not have the opportunity to benefit from this luxury in 2022 due to the offensive scheme employed by Mike LaFleur. Wilson was predominantly utilized between the numbers, limiting his chances to make boundary throws that require precise timing and anticipation. Nevertheless, Wilson's strengths lie in his ability to attack cornerbacks vertically and utilize his exceptional change-of-direction skills on comebacks and routes that break horizontally. While Rodgers is certainly capable of attacking the middle of the field, the introduction of plays that open up the areas where Wilson excels should immediately prove fruitful for both players.
It is worth noting that the specific offensive scheme often influences target distribution and is less dependent on the quarterback alone. However, historically, Rodgers has shown a tendency to favor a primary target.
| Year | Player | Targets | Target % | Targets/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Allen Lazard | 100 | 18.50% | 6.67 |
| 2021 | Davante Adams | 169 | 29.60% | 10.56 |
| 2020 | Davante Adams | 149 | 29.74% | 10.64 |
| 2019 | Davante Adams | 127 | 23.43% | 10.58 |
| 2018 | Davante Adams | 169 | 27.47% | 11.27 |
| 2017 | Davante Adams | 117 | 21.11% | 8.36 |
| 2016 | Jordy Nelson | 152 | 24.76% | 9.50 |
| 2015 | Randall Cobb | 129 | 22.83% | 8.06 |
| 2014 | Jordy Nelson | 151 | 28.44% | 9.44 |
| 2013 | Jordy Nelson | 127 | 22.88% | 7.94 |
| 2012 | Randall Cobb | 104 | 19.08% | 6.93 |
| 2011 | Greg Jennings | 101 | 18.70% | 7.77 |
| 2010 | Greg Jennings | 125 | 23.63% | 7.81 |
| 2009 | Greg Jennings | 119 | 21.68% | 7.44 |
| 2008 | Greg Jennings | 140 | 26.62% | 8.75 |
| Average | 131.93 | 23.90% | 8.78 |
Although Rodgers' top targets have averaged nearly nine targets per game with a share of less than 24%, 2020 and 2021 stand out as peak usage rates. Rodgers has publicly declared Davante Adams the top receiver in the league, which likely contributed to Adams receiving a significant number of targets during their time together. However, the talented group of weapons available to Rodgers in New York resembles the offensive arsenal he had during his MVP seasons. Wilson's rookie year saw him receive a larger target share compared to the new additions. If Rodgers reverts to the qualities that made him the NFL's best quarterback not too long ago, Wilson's target share could skyrocket, reaching elite status.