New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, according to one NFL analyst, is primed for a monster 2025 season. At the most basic level, receivers are expected to catch the ball and occasionally block. No matter who’s under center, the pressure is always on for wideouts to make plays in every situation.
That said, how the ball comes out of the quarterback’s hand makes a difference. Accuracy, timing, and velocity can all shift based on who’s throwing, and receivers have to adjust fast, especially during camp. Still, one analyst believes Wilson will break through and cement himself as a top-tier target this year.
New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson Predicted to Play at Elite Level in 2025
Wilson heads into the season with yet another new starting quarterback. By now, the former first-round pick is used to the revolving door. He’s not just dealing with it—he’s embracing it. From the outside looking in, Wilson doesn’t appear rattled by the constant changes behind center.
But this year’s quarterback isn’t exactly a stranger. Justin Fields and Wilson spent two years together at Ohio State. Fields played some of his best ball in Columbus with Wilson as one of his go-to targets. Now, they’ll try to recreate that chemistry in the NFL. ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak predicts that Wilson will give Fields the best target he’s ever had in the pros.
“Here is a list of things I believe: Garrett Wilson is the best receiver Justin Fields has played with in his NFL career,” Solak said. “Wilson is the WR1 with the biggest gap in quality between him and his WR2 in the entire league.
“Wilson has played mostly on hard mode (a lot of press coverage, downfield routes, contested balls, etc.), and new coordinator Tanner Engstrand will prioritize getting him easier targets. As such, I have a nagging suspicion that Wilson will lead the league in receiving yards in 2025.”
Garrett Wilson’s CATCH OF THE YEAR from the field 👀 pic.twitter.com/lvVYZhyJHY
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2024
Still, there are some points worth pushing back on. In 2023, D.J. Moore caught 96 passes for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns, with Fields throwing him the ball most of the year. That alone makes Solak’s claim a bit shaky.
Then there’s the idea that Wilson runs mostly deep routes. If that were the case, he wouldn’t keep averaging under 12 yards per catch. His average of 6.6 yards before the catch shows he’s running more short and intermediate routes than Solak suggests.
Finally, the idea of Wilson leading the league in receiving yards while catching passes from a quarterback who’s only topped a 62% completion rate once is bold. Fields is known more for his legs than his arm, and that reality hasn’t changed yet.
Even so, with Tanner Engstrand now calling the shots, Solak’s confidence isn’t without merit. Engstrand brings a creative mindset and a relentless drive to keep the offense moving. And Wilson, coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons, needs to make serious noise for the Jets to stay competitive. That means stepping up significantly in 2025.