Jets WR depth chart: Elijah Moore leads one of NFL’s most intriguing groups of pass-catchers
Cleared for touchdowns?
The Jets ended the 2021 season with a wide receiver corps of Keelan Cole, Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims and Jeff Smith as several regulars were on injured reserve.
Led by quarterback Zach Wilson (when healthy) and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, the Jets are hoping to up their lazy wideout production in 2022: Jets wide receivers combined for 218 receptions, 2,603 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. Injuries, a rookie QB and an inexperienced play-caller have stunted the team’s offensive growth over the past year.
But it’s a new season and there’s renewed optimism at Florham Park, particularly in the wide receiver room. If health remains optimal, Wilson takes a step forward, and LaFleur fits into a groove in his sophomore year, then the Jets have one of the NFL’s more intriguing groups at the position.
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New York values versatility in its broader arena, so it might be unfair to expect a proven No. 1 receiver in all 17 games, but there’s still game-changing potential in the group.
Jets WR depth map
While it remains to be seen exactly how these receivers will achieve their goals, here’s how the depth chart might stack up:
1. Elijah Moore
Statistics 2021: 11 games (11 starts), 43 receptions, 538 yards, five touchdowns.
Moore missed time with an injury, but he showed at lightning speed why the Jets took him to the top of the second round in 2021.
He may not be the greatest receiver on the field, but his route running and separation ability (3.4 yards average distance in 2021) make him not only a dream sleeper but also a prime candidate for the breakout player of the year.
Additionally, Moore’s versatility as an inside and outside receiver in the Jets’ scheme means he doesn’t get the same look from defense multiple times per game. It’s something the Jets appreciate, and it’s something that works exceptionally well for a 2022 NFL wide receiver.
2. Corey Davis
Statistics 2021: Nine games (nine starts), 34 receptions, 492 yards, four touchdowns
Davis was a disappointment in more ways than one in 2021. He dealt mostly with drop issues and also missed time with an injury.
Davis will likely start the year at the WR2 spot, but if 2022 first-round winner Garrett Wilson (see below) comes through camp, there’s a good chance Davis will drop a spot on the table before the start of the regular season .
3. Garret Wilson
Statistics 2021: N / A
Arguably the biggest battle of the camp will be who takes the role #2 behind Moore. Robert Saleh’s mission to get everyone on the field to earn their spot means that Wilson, the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft, is not guaranteed to start against Moore in Week 1.
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However, Wilson has displayed many of the tools required to be a WR1 in the NFL: He has excellent speed and athleticism. With some tweaking to his distance running, he could get there sooner rather than later.
All of this means Wilson will have time to develop on an offense that appreciates his skills and New York could have a young, explosive 1-2 tandem for years to come.
4. Braxton Berries
Statistics 2021: 16 games (one start), 46 receptions, 431 yards, two touchdowns.
Berrios’ rise to one of Wilson’s favorite targets and an elite kick returner in 2021 led to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Jets this offseason. That still didn’t earn him a high spot on the depth chart.
Looking at the field on offense, most of his snaps come from the slot: 284 of his snaps in 2021 came from the slot while 97 came wide. Expect Berrios to work as a gadget wideout and kick returner with a healthier group in front of him on the depth chart.
5. Denzel Mims
Statistics 2021: 11 games (three starts), eight receptions, 133 yards, no touchdowns.
Mims had a very disappointing second season. He faced an uphill battle all year playing in a new offense.
During preseason, Mims lost a fight with Salmon and subsequently lost weight, hampering his offensive progress. During the season, Mim’s lack of versatility kept him on the bench. He only played a handful of games before injury forced him into action.
According to early camp reports, Mims looks rejuvenated. But that will almost certainly not be enough for him to jump in front of some receivers. There’s also a chance that Mims won’t get the team out of camp if he can’t pick up the offense.