Jets' Frank Reich hire raises genuine questions about Garrett Wilson's fit

Fans are rejoicing at the hire of Frank Reich as the new offensive coordinator of the New York Jets. For the first time in recent memory, the team will have an offensive mind at the helm that isn't woefully inexperienced or a laughing stock a la Nathaniel Hackett or Dowell Loggains.

There is much to consider. The potential that other respected offensive voices will be joining Reich's staff is intoxicating. Considering the scheme fits at each offensive position, especially quarterback, will be important.

However, one potential downside to the hire is what it means for star wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Since arriving in the league and dominating immediately, winning the 2022 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Wilson has played in schemes tailored to his strengths. That won't be the case anymore.

Garrett Wilson might be an odd fit in Frank Reich's new Jets scheme

Let's start with the type of receivers who have had success and been drafted by Reich during his time as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. During his tenure, the Colts selected two receivers in the second round, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.

Pittman Jr. comes in at 6-foot-4, while Pierce is similarly sized at 6-foot-3. They have different play styles, though, with Pittman's 223-pound frame being used to box out defenders and operate in the intermediate areas as a possession receiver.

Pierce, on the other hand, uses his size to get vertical, consistently making plays deep down the field. Similarly, Reich inherited T.Y. Hilton, who is much smaller, but was also burner deep.

Neither of those is Wilson's strength. At 6-foot, 183 pounds, Wilson has a very slight frame and has made a living with his incredible agility, generating separation before the ball arrives and generating yards after the catch once he has the ball in his hands.

What Wilson isn't good at is the contested-catch situations that Pittman specializes in, nor the deep ball scenarios that allowed Hilton and Pierce to thrive. Check out how he's fared in two key metrics, contested catch percentage and average depth of target, over his career.

As you can see, despite having elite body control, Wilson doesn't have the strength to excel in contested-catch situations, and he's often utilized in the short-and-intermediate areas of the field. That might not be the best fit for Reich, who favors the big play.

With that said, there are elements of Reich's philosophy that can fit Wilson. The mesh concept is a staple, and that is also commonplace in the West Coast systems that the Ohio State product has encountered success in.

The long-time coach also favors creating something called triangle reads, which essentially work by isolating two defenders against three receivers, utilizing hi-lo concepts to force difficult choices and exploit mismatches.

The way Reich has utilized these concepts has varied with the abilities of the quarterback he's had under center, showing a willingness to bend the scheme to the talents of the players at his disposal.

That's, of course, a hallmark of a good offensive coordinator, and should give us some confidence that he'll find ways to utilize his best pass catcher in ways that accentuate Wilson's attributes.

Wilson isn't a picture-perfect scheme fit, but he's too talented to struggle. At the same time, Reich is too experienced not to realize he needs to be flexible in order to maximize the talent at his disposal.

There is a concern, and there will likely be an adjustment period, but don't expect Wilson to simply fall off with a completely new system coming in.