New York Jets need to address wide receiver in the first round

After a dismal showing in 2021, the New York Jets need to make a splash at this year’s draft to help Zach Wilson lead the team forward.

The New York Jets ended the 2021 NFL season with a disappointing 4-13 record, consigning them to a sixth consecutive season with a losing record in the AFC East, and the need to give sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson some help on offense was apparent to all.

The biggest issue for the team was protecting the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, after seeing him sacked 44 times in 13 games and losing a league-worst 370 yards as a result, but this has been addressed in the form of former San Francisco 49er Laken Tomlinson’s signing in free agency.

Following that, the Jets’ biggest problem on the offensive side of the ball was a poor passing game that saw 20 total passing touchdowns shared between the four quarterbacks who played for the team last season – only nine of them going to Wilson.

New York Jets must look to 2022 NFL Draft for WR help

538 yards was good enough to lead the team in receiving yards last season, courtesy of Elijah Moore, and a bolstered passing attack is sorely needed to help Wilson live up to his high draft position.

The Jets have brought in Tyler Conklin during free agency, with the former Minnesota Viking giving the team a receiving option at tight end that did not exist in 2021 – with Ryan Griffin hauling in just 261 total yards last season.

It’s clear that the New York Jets are keen to bolster the group, with their reported offer for Tyreek Hill ultimately seeing the three-time All-Pro take his talents to AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins this week.

The bulk of last season’s receiving corps has been largely retained, with Moore, Corey Davis (who finished second in receiving yards with 492), and Braxton Berrios all returning for the 2022 season, but more can be done to truly solidify the group and give Wilson more weapons at his disposal.

The upcoming draft sees the Jets hold two picks in the first round, with the fourth and tenth overall selections ahead of them – with the latter being a prime opportunity to snag a legitimate option in the passing game.

One name that could be worth considering when the Jets make their second selection in the first round, with the fourth pick almost definitely being used on an edge rusher such as Kayvon Thibodeaux, is USC’s Drake London.

London is a monster at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, and would immediately become the biggest target in the Jets’ receiving corps – even standing taller than the aforementioned Conklin (6-foot-3).

With 1084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games with the Trojans last season, London could be the perfect addition to Robert Saleh’s offense.

Injuries may be a concern with London, who is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in game eight of last season, but that should play into the Jets’ favor as he should still be available with the tenth pick.

The Jets themselves struggled to keep their receiving corps together on the field last season, with Moore playing just 11 games and Davis playing nine, so adding another body to the mix can go a long way to helping Wilson continue his development on a positive trajectory.