Garrett Wilson Can Rebound In A Big Way This Season

Not much went right for the Jets last season on their way to finishing in the basement of the AFC East. They struggled again at quarterback, while also dealing with some key injuries across their roster. One of the biggest absences was Garrett Wilson being limited to just seven games. As they prepare to enter this season, a change at quarterback and improved health make Wilson an intriguing option in fantasy.

Click here for more 2026 Player Profiles!

Disastrous 2025 Season

Wilson was coming off a 2024 campaign in which he set career highs in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,104), and touchdowns (seven). His quarterback was Aaron Rodgers, who had a modest 3,897 passing yards that year. Rodgers was a shell of his former self, continuing a trend of Wilson being paired with underwhelming quarterbacks to begin his career.

The Jets brought in Justin Fields to lead the team last season, which wasn’t exactly good news for Wilson. Fields is known more for his rushing prowess than his passing abilities. He had never thrown for more than 2,562 yards in a season during his career. He only ended up making nine starts for the Jets, throwing for 1,259 yards. Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook also combined to make eight starts.

In addition to having a bad quarterback at his disposal, Wilson was limited to just seven games because of a knee injury. That left him with a disappointing 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns. His 6.7 yards per target was the second-lowest mark of his career. It was a disastrous stat line from someone who was drafted as a WR1 in many leagues.

Change At Quarterback

Even with the lackluster quarterbacks that he has played with, Wilson began his career with three straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. As the focal point of the Jets’ passing attack, he received at least 147 targets in each season. He was on pace for a hefty workload again last year, posting 59 targets over his seven games.

After moving on from Fields, the Jets brought in Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback this offseason. He had fallen out of favor with the Raiders, who drafted Fernando Mendoza to be their future at the position. Smith’s lone season in Las Vegas was a disappointment as he finished with 19 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions. He also had just 3,025 passing yards, which was his lowest mark since 2021.

Smith began his career as a disappointment for the Jets before eventually establishing himself with the Seahawks. He had a three-season stretch with Seattle in which he produced touchdowns and passing yards, but also had problems with turnovers. Including last season, he has 52 interceptions to go along with his 90 touchdown passes since the start of the 2022 campaign.

As underwhelming as Smith was last season, it’s worth noting that he didn’t have great options at wide receiver. Brock Bowers is among the best tight ends in the league, but he was limited to 12 games because of injuries. The best wide receiver that Smith had at his disposal was Tre Tucker. Even Jakobi Meyers was traded during the season. Wilson is leaps and bounds above anyone that was on the Raiders, so that should help Smith. Prior to last year, the veteran quarterback had an average target depth of at least 7.6 yards in each of the last three seasons.

Improved Jets Offense

Smith isn’t the only noteworthy offensive addition that the Jets made. They will get a full season from Adonai Mitchell, who they acquired in a trade with the Colts during the 2025 campaign. Mitchell and Wilson only played one game together, so we have yet to see what the duo can do. Mitchell can help stretch the field, given his average depth of target of 14.5 yards for his career. The Jets also selected Kenyon Sadiq in the first round of the 2026 Draft to upgrade at tight end. Even their offensive line could be better after they signed Dylan Parham away from the Raiders to be one of their starting guards.

Wilson has been a part of some pretty inept offenses. With a competent quarterback and more overall skill on offense, the Jets have the potential to sustain longer drives. That could lead to more targets for Wilson, in addition to the potential for more touchdowns.

Fantasy managers have already put Wilson’s injury-filled 2025 season in the rearview mirror. Per 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, he has an ADP of 37, making him WR16. He is being selected just after Zay Flowers (ADP 34), and ahead of Tee Higgins (AP 38) and Tetairoa McMillan (39). An interesting player also being taken in the same range is Malik Nabers (ADP 32, WR 14), who might not even be healthy to begin the season as he recovers from a torn ACL and meniscus.

While Nabers has a better quarterback in Dart throwing him passes, his potential for missed time and/or a limited snap count early in the season might make Wilson the better option. Wilson comes with a high floor as he should surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a full season. He is a high-end WR2 who has the potential to be a WR1 if Smith can regain some of the proficiency that he showed during his tenure with the Seahawks.

The Bottom Line

• Between having a poor quarterback at his disposal and his own injury, Garrett Wilson is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which he ended his streak of three straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
• Smith might be in the later stages of his career, but he has the potential to be the best quarterback that Wilson has played with during his tenure in the NFL.
• According to 4for4’s Multi-Site ADP, Wilson has an ADP of 37 and is WR16.
• The Jets have the potential to be more competent on offense, which would provide a boost to Wilson. He should be considered a high-end WR2 in fantasy who could work his way into the WR1 tier.