Position Reset for '25
The Jets receivers room is headlined again by fourth-year pro Garrett Wilson, whose 101 receptions, 1,104 yards and 7 touchdowns last season were career highs. Wilson could be poised for an even bigger 2025 season since head coach Aaron Glenn said in the spring the Jets are going to "give him the ball as much as possible."
Opposite Wilson is a competition that includes new faces on the Green & White -- predominantly with vast NFL experience -- and returning players that mostly have three or fewer accrued seasons.
"Right now we're under construction," wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said in June. "We're working. We know what Garrett is, but we have a plethora of receivers that can do different things. We're trying to take all that talent and maximize those things on the field, but that's what we're doing now and this thing will play itself out."
Allen Lazard, 29, is the oldest player who was with the Jets last season among the wideouts. The 6-5, 227 pounder is one of three veteran receivers with blocking prowess. Josh Reynolds (6-3, 192) and Tyler Johnson (6-1, 208) are the others.
The young Jets in the mix are Xavier Gipson, second-year wideout Malachi Corley and speedy rookie Arian Smith, drafted in the fourth round out of Georgia.
Gipson has primarily been a returner in his first two NFL seasons, but he flashed during OTAs as a receiver. Corley has a unique physical skillset, but the Western Kentucky product was hampered by an injury during the spring.
"Now, we have a ways to go to really try to figure out exactly where we're going to place him because he's been in and out, but there's a plan for him and we're going to make sure that we try to utilize him to what he can do best," Glenn said of Corley. "We've seen that in college. Hopefully he gets well soon and we get a chance to utilize his skillset."
Regardless of experience, production, strengths or physical traits, whoever lines up at receiver will be expected to be a willing blocker.
"To me, it's always been an emphasis," Jefferson said. "That's something that's been dear to my heart. I don't do lazy receivers, just don't. In this group at the Jets organization, we want complete receivers. We just don't want pass catchers. Everybody across the board is going to have to block, even Garrett. That's no compromise.
"No block, no rock."