Garrett Wilson has already made quite the impression on New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.

Training camp hasn’t even started yet and the Jets franchise QB is blown away by the rookie wide receiver.

“The dude is a sponge,” Zach Wilson said this week during organized team activities. “He’s soaking it up, he’s learning a bunch. … He’s going through that learning stage still, but he’s a quick learner. You can see the talent jump off the page. He’s a really good player. He definitely has the skills, the toolset, and definitely the mindset to be great.”

That’s the kind of scouting report the Jets want to hear. They have high expectations after selecting Garrett Wilson with their second selection (No. 10 overall) in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Ohio State standout can play inside or outside. He’s a home run threat with breakaway speed. And he’s extremely athletic.

“I feel like I do a good job of winning the 50-50 balls. I feel like I do a good job of playing with a lot of passion,” Garret Wilson said on draft night. “You can see it on the field. I feel like I bring my teammates' energy up on the field. I also feel like I do a good job of making people miss.”

Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. In three seasons with Ohio State, he had 143 catches and 23 touchdowns, while averaging 15.5 yards per reception.

Despite the gaudy statistics, Wilson attended the draft wearing a bracelet that stated, “Humble Over Hype.”

But that doesn’t mean he lacks confidence.

“I’m very confident,” Wilson said. “I want to do everything it takes to have an impact.”

The Jets hope that the rookie can help unlock some of the greatness they believe is there with their quarterback. Zach Wilson struggled as a rookie last season, completing 55.6 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Jamison Crowder led the Jets with 51 receptions in 2021. But the Jets let him walk as a free agent to create more opportunities in the slot for the electric Elijah Moore, who topped them with 538 receiving yards and five touchdowns in only 11 games as a rookie last season.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Brock Bowers in a Jets uniform next to Aaron Rodgers (Jets) with a heart emoji between them and an NFL Draft background.

Tim Crean ·

Aaron Rodgers wearing a Jets uniform saying the following: New uniforms?

Joey Mistretta ·

GM Joe Douglas in the middle - Rome Odunze, Jaden Hicks, Braelon Allen around him - New York Jets wallpaper in the background

Enzo Flojo ·

Veteran Corey Davis is back on the second of a three-year deal. He was limited to nine games because of injury but averaged 14.5 yards on 34 receptions.

And Braxton Berrios was re-signed after he caught 46 balls last season. The ace kick returner is slotted as No. 4 on the receiving depth chart. That puts him ahead of the enigmatic Denzel Mims, who has failed to impress after arriving with much hype as a second-round pick in 2020.

“I’m a young guy coming in and I have to earn the trust of my teammates and my coaches,” Garrett Wilson said. “Whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do. I’m confident in my ability and I want to do it at a high level, no matter what my job is. I feel like I’ll fit in for sure.”

He’s likely going to fit in as an immediate starter. Whether he’s a star right away is to be determined.

His quarterback thinks the new kid in the receiver’s room is certainly on the right track. And Garrett Wilson is ready to get after the opportunity in front of him.