The Jets might have a playoff roster with one position that could sink it

The 2025 New York Jets boast a handful of legitimately strong position groups. The linebackers, defensive line, and offensive line all look like potential top-tier units. Each of them should be among the top in the NFL.

However, there’s one group in particular that could end up dragging the entire offense down.

At this point in the offseason, there’s not much left to do. Free agency is essentially wrapped up, the draft is in the rearview mirror, and unless a surprise trade is coming, the roster is largely set. That leaves the Jets facing a major concern: their wide receiver room.

It’s not that the Jets have no talent at wideout; it’s that they have almost no reliable talent. The group is an underwhelming mix of aging veterans, late-round rookies, and unproven depth pieces. After losing Davante Adams, the Jets failed to land a real replacement, and they’re now left with one of the weakest receiving corps in the league.

The Certainty

When I say the Jets have “almost no reliable talent,” it’s because Garrett Wilson still exists. He’s the exception, and a major one at that. Wilson is a superstar, one of the top 10 wide receivers in the NFL and quickly climbing toward that top-five tier. If the Jets want Justin Fields to succeed, Wilson will need to be his best friend.

In his three seasons with the Jets, Wilson has been remarkably consistent. He’s never missed a game and has never finished with fewer than 80 catches or 1,000 receiving yards. In 2024, he set career highs with 101 receptions for 1,104 yards, all despite another season of quarterback chaos.

There's no need to dwell on Wilson. Everyone knows what he is and what he could become. The real issue lies in the depth chart behind him, where the Jets’ lack of firepower becomes painfully obvious.

The Toss-Ups

As the name of this group suggests, you may as well flip a coin and wait for the result. Neither Allen Lazard nor Josh Reynolds should be ridiculed as horrible NFL receivers, but they should also never be mistaken for high-end talent either.

Lazard is entering his eighth NFL season, and while he’s managed to carve out a role as a rotational receiver, his production rarely moves the needle. He’s accumulated just enough credibility to stick around in a league where 90–100 wide receivers earn regular snaps. But his ceiling is low, and his spot on the depth chart probably should be too.

In Green Bay, playing with an MVP-level Aaron Rodgers, Lazard was solid. In his five seasons with the Packers, he brought in 168 receptions for 2,229 yards. In 2022, he put up a career high of 60 receptions and 788 yards.

The past two seasons, split between Zach Wilson and a banged-up Rodgers, have been rough. Lazard hasn’t topped 40 catches or 600 yards in either year. The fact that he’s still on the roster, let alone a projected starter, is concerning.

Reynolds at least comes with an admirable story. After a tumultuous 2024 season that included an injury, being released, and surviving a shooting, he’s back and easy to root for. But like Lazard, he’s not the kind of player you want penciled in as a key starter. He’s a depth piece, not exactly a difference-maker.

I don't know who will be the Jets' WR2, but I know neither Lazard nor Reynolds is a true No. 2 in a successful offense.

The Unknowns

This next tier of the Jets’ receiver group features players who still carry the allure of untapped potential, but that potential remains entirely speculative.

Malachi Corley was expected to contribute more after the Jets selected him in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, he barely saw the field, logging just six targets and three receptions all season. He remains more mystery than asset.

Arian Smith is even more of a wild card. The fourth-round rookie from Georgia brings legitimate speed and explosiveness to the offense, and he’s a threat to break a big play any time he touches the ball. The problem? Route-running and hands, two fairly important receiver skills, remain question marks.

Smith should have opportunities in designed packages to make plays in space, but it’s impossible to project his role until we see him on an NFL field. As for Corley, he may have disappointed last year, but the Jets were enamored with his talent for a reason. A second-year jump isn't out of the question.

Realistically, a successful season for either player would be hitting the 20-catch, 300-yard mark. If they both hit that threshold, it’s a win for the Jets. But right now, there just isn’t enough evidence to expect anything definitive from either.

The 'close your eyes and cross your fingers' guys

This is the tier of the Jets’ receiver room that comes in with little to no expectations. Any meaningful production from this group should be considered a bonus. If either player finishes the season with 15+ catches and 200+ yards, that would be viewed as a win.

We’re talking about Tyler Johnson and Xavier Gipson, depth pieces who likely won’t be asked to do much unless injuries force them into action. Still, most NFL teams rotate through six or seven wide receivers over the course of a season, so they shouldn’t be ignored.

Johnson has flashed some ability during his four NFL seasons, recording 828 yards on 76 catches. His best campaign came in 2021 with Tampa Bay, and he followed that up with a respectable year for the Rams in 2024, hauling in 26 catches for 291 yards.

Gipson, meanwhile, has carved out a role as a reliable returner on special teams. His offensive involvement has been minimal, with just 27 career receptions over two seasons. He’s dependable in the return game, but unlikely to move the needle on offense.

Combined, the pair has six total touchdowns across six seasons. They’ve proven they can contribute in spurts, but the ceiling is low. If either Johnson or Gipson is forced into a major role in 2025, it probably means the Jets’ offense is in trouble.

The Other Guys

The supporting cast around Justin Fields outside of the wide receiver room inspires little confidence.

Yes, Breece Hall is a proven weapon in the passing game. That much is certain. But second-year back Braelon Allen, while showing some flashes as a rookie, has yet to establish himself as a true dual-threat. He hauled in 19 catches for 148 yards last season, hinting at some receiving upside, but there’s still plenty of development needed.

The tight end group is even murkier. Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt are expected to compete for the backup job, and both are capable enough in that role. But the likely starter is Mason Taylor, a 21-year-old rookie out of LSU who hasn’t taken a single NFL snap.

There are high hopes for Taylor, the son of Hall-of-Famer and former Jet Jason Taylor, but relying on a rookie to start is always a dubious proposition until proven otherwise.

This is what Fields has to work with outside of his receivers: a whole lot of maybes, hopefullys, and wait-and-sees.

Best-Case Scenario

If everything breaks right for the Jets in 2025, here’s what a best-case scenario might look like for their pass catchers.

Garrett Wilson continues to thrive, even with a more mobile, run-heavy quarterback under center. He hauls in 100 catches on 140 targets and eclipses 1,250 receiving yards.

Between Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds, one emerges as an actual WR2, finishing with around 50 receptions for 550+ yards. The other still contributes with 30 grabs for over 300 yards.

Rookie Arian Smith flashes big-play potential with 20 receptions for 250+ yards and a couple of long touchdowns. Malachi Corley makes modest strides in year two, adding 10+ catches for 125 yards.

Breece Hall stays healthy and active in the passing game, tallying 50 catches for 600 yards. Braelon Allen chips in with 15 receptions for 250 yards. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor lives up to the second-round hype with 30+ grabs and over 400 receiving yards, while the backup tight ends combine for another 10 catches and 100 yards.

Of course, all of this depends on Justin Fields playing the best football of his life. But in this dream scenario, Fields throws for roughly 3,800 yards and the Jets' offense finally finds its rhythm.

Realistic Expectations

Without being too negative, here’s a more realistic look at what Jets fans can expect from the passing game in 2025.

Garrett Wilson sees a slight dip in production with the shift to a more run-focused quarterback. Still, he remains the team’s top target, finishing somewhere between 65 and 80 receptions for 750–900 yards.

Between Lazard and Reynolds, the Jets might get a combined 50 catches for around 500–600 yards. Arian Smith flashes his big-play speed but struggles with consistency, finishing with fewer than 15 receptions and under 200 yards. Corley remains a limited contributor, failing to crack double digits in catches or surpass 100 yards.

Hall continues to be a bright spot, becoming one of Fields’ go-to options. He hauls in 40 receptions for over 450 yards, while Braelon Allen chips in with 10–15 catches and 200–250 yards.

Second-round pick Mason Taylor has a decent rookie year with 20–25 receptions for 300+ yards. The rest of the tight end room contributes about 100 yards combined.

If this is how things play out, Fields would likely finish the season with around 2,700 passing yards. That’s not a disaster, but it does highlight the limitations of a one-dimensional passing attack.