Jets WR inconsistencies confirm one unavoidable offseason truth

The New York Jets looked about as bad as you can on Sunday in their 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The defense didn't look good. The offense didn't look good. Just about the only thing that did look good was the special teams. Outside of that, the rest of the Jets looked every bit of their 3-10 record.

One of those weaknesses on full display was the receiving unit. Granted, Brady Cook didn't make for an easy QB to catch passes from. His 36.4 Pro Football Focus (PFF) passing grade and 10.5% turnover-worthy play percentage tell you all you need to know about the passing on Sunday.

But the current crop of wideouts certainly did nothing to make his life any easier. The Jets' next quarterback, assuming it's someone new next season, will not be a star. It will be a reclamation project, a rookie, or a bottom-tier holdover. If the Jets plan to win some games, the receiving corps needs a facelift.

The Jets' WR corps has to be better than this

This isn’t meant to disparage Adonai Mitchell or John Metchie III. There’s a world where both players remain part of the team next season. It simply cannot be in the significant roles they’re being asked to fill right now. Behind Garrett Wilson, the Jets need a legitimate No. 2 option, and neither Mitchell nor Metchie is at that caliber.

Both have been inconsistent. Since his arrival, Metchie has posted PFF receiving grades ranging from 72.7 to 43.8. Mitchell is largely the same story, posting grades as low as 40.5 but as high as 74.9.

Metchie has been a more reliable pass catcher with a 66.7% catch rate, often playing in the slot, while Mitchell has posted a brutal 40% on the outside. On the other hand, Mitchell has been far more explosive with more yards in fewer games, averaging 14.8 per reception compared to Metchie's 9.2.

On Sunday, both accounted for one drop each. Metchie had a slightly more respectable day, bringing in four catches on eight targets, while Mitchell only brought in one pass off six targets. Metchie's four receptions generated just 34 yards, though, while Mitchell generated 24 yards on his one opportunity.

This is actually a perfect microcosm of their respective tenures as Jets. Metchie was slightly more active but limited in overall production. Mitchell showed a bright flash, yet largely underproduced by the end of the day.

However you slice it, neither has demanded a starting role next season with their play. They still have to prove they can be relied on to catch passes consistently at all, let alone be the next best options for next year's QB when Wilson is double-covered.

As stated, the quarterback won't be Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson next season. The offense needs at least one more receiver, if not two, who can consistently make plays on their own.

They need some explosion on the outside. If receivers aren't separating, the passing game is sure to remain in the basement. There's no gunslinger walking through that door who can throw guys open.

Sure, Mason Taylor has shown promise. That's one facet of the passing attack with a glimmer of hope. But a good tight end doesn't provide the explosion that a lower-tier quarterback will require. They need skill guys who are getting down the field — and fast.

There's no Lombardi Trophy on its way to Florham Park next season. But there needs to be, at the very least, some degree of competence on offense. Any threat on the outside opens everything else up. The offensive line has shown potential, but its solid blocking is all for naught when the passing game continues to produce sub-200-yard performances.

It's in Aaron Glenn's and Darren Mougey's best interest to see tangible improvement in the air next year. It will be impossible to evaluate anything else offensively otherwise. If Wilson is lining up next to Metchie and Mitchell, the offense can pencil itself in for another miserable season.

Whether it be via the draft, the trade market, free agency, or all of the above, this has to be at the top of Mougey's offseason "to-do" list. A new receiver certainly isn't arriving on time to make his Christmas list this year.