Heading into the 2025 season, the Jets have made a series of moves to improve the state of their roster and overall depth, but are they ready to compete for a playoff spot?
In this series, we’ll break down the depth chart for every position group. This time, we’ll go in-depth at the wide receiver position…
Projected depth chart
Starters: Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds
Backups: Allen Lazard, Tyler Johnson, Arian Smith, XavierGipson, Malachi Corley
Key additions/losses: Reynolds and Johnson were signed in free agency and Smith was drafted in the fourth round, while Davante Adams departed in free agency
Top Performers in 2024: Wilson had 101 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games
2024 ranking via PFF: Wilson was 25th out of 112 qualifying wide receivers
What Jets’ receivers have going for them
Wilson has been the Jets’ most consistent offensive weapon during his three seasons in the NFL. He hasn’t missed a game and has racked up over 1,000 yards each year, with plenty of highlight grabs. With better offensive stability, he could take his game to another level and will be hoping to reach his first Pro Bowl in 2025.
New York also has a mixture of veterans and youngsters who will compete for playing time and targets. Johnson and Reynolds were free agent signings who will compete with the returning Lazard to be the number two option.
Smith, a fourth-round pick this year out of Georgia, has impressed with his speed during offseason activities and will be aiming to beat out Gipson and Corley to crack the main rotation.
Key concern for 2025: Garrett Wilson’s contract
Wilson showed visible frustration over the past year or two as he obviously found it challenging to deal with inconsistent target shares and the Jets’ constant losing. The Jets will be hoping he’ll be more comfortable this year now that he’s reunited with his college teammate Justin Fields. It also helps that Adams will no longer be taking targets away from him.
The main thing the Jets need to do to ensure Wilson is satisfied is to give him a long-term contract extension, which could cost over $30 million per year. Despite not reaching a Pro Bowl yet, Wilson and his representatives will no doubt be expecting a deal near the top end of the receiver market.
It’s widely accepted that Wilson is one of the most talented receivers in the league and would have had better production if the Jets had better coaching or quarterback play. However, if Wilson’s demands exceed the Jets’ valuation of him, this could create a distraction with camp approaching.
Player who must step up in 2025: Malachi Corley
Corley was expected to have a big role in 2024, having been drafted with the first pick of the third round. However, he barely played as he never developed any chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. And he ruined his chance for a breakout moment when he inexplicably dropped the ball on the way into the end zone for what would have been his first career touchdown.
Clearly in need of a fresh start, it’s been a frustrating time for Corley, who has been in the rehab area rather than working with the rest of the team during much of the offseason activities.
Coming out of college, Corley was billed as “The YAC King” and Jets coaches recognized he could be a potential weapon if they could find ways to get him involved. He needs to get healthy and then has multiple players ahead of him that he’ll need to beat out if he’s going to make the roster, let alone crack the rotation.
Biggest camp battle: Lazard vs. Johnson vs. Reynolds
The three veterans who will compete to start all bring useful abilities to the table, although each would likely be a fringe starter at best on most NFL teams.
Lazard and Reynolds have good size and that could mean they complement Wilson well. Lazard was widely expected to be traded or released during the offseason but remains with the team after taking a pay cut. Reynolds was signed during the offseason and reunites with some of the coaches he played for when he was with the Lions from 2021 to 2023.
Johnson could end up competing for a role in the slot, as he’s been productive there in the past. He caught 36 passes in 2021 and had some good games with the Rams last season.
If none of these players stand out, a young player such as Smith could have a shot at a starting role if they develop faster than expected. It’s more likely that the other starter is one of these three, though.
Overall 2025 outlook
The Jets look set to rely heavily on Wilson again, and it will be interesting to see if his statistical production increases now that he is reuniting with Fields. This could be the year where he takes a jump to Pro Bowl level, and it’s likely he’ll need to if he is to live up to his anticipated contract.
Beyond Wilson, there are some players who are capable of providing value and generating production, but if Wilson were to miss any time, the group would suddenly look like one of the weaker receiver units in the league — forcing the Jets to lean on their backs, tight ends and running game more than ever.
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