Wildcard TV

Week one confirmed what many Jets fans had feared all offseason: outside of Garrett Wilson, New York has no reliable receiving threat. Against NFL defenses, that’s a glaring hole. Without more wide receiver depth, the Jets risk running Wilson into the ground and becoming painfully one-dimensional.

Yes, the Jets have a potentially elite rushing trio in Breece Hall, rookie Braelon Allen, and quarterback Justin Fields, who brings his own threat on the ground. But every defensive coordinator knows you can’t win in today’s NFL solely on the ground. Eventually, defenses will stack the box, daring Fields to throw to anyone not named Wilson. For the Jets to compete, they must address their WR2 need immediately.

The Offensive Context: Tanner Engstrand’s First Year

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand enters his first season as an NFL playcaller after five years in Detroit. His Lions background emphasized physical, run-heavy football, but leaned heavily on shorter passing concepts. From 2022 to 2024, Detroit threw deep (20+ air yards) on only 8% of attempts, the lowest in the league.

That fits Fields’ profile as a quarterback who can struggle with accuracy on deep throws but thrives when schemes create easy windows. It also means Engstrand needs reliable separators and chain-movers — the exact piece New York is missing behind Wilson.

Potential WR2 and Depth Solutions

Xavier Restrepo

Miami’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (21 TDs, 2,844 yards), Restrepo is a technician who thrives in short areas. His Wes Welker-like reliability would fit Engstrand’s quick-pass approach perfectly. It’s actually mind blowing his inability to land on a roster spot right now.

KJ Osborn

A tough, versatile receiver who can line up inside or outside. Osborn’s physicality and consistency in contested situations make him an easy plug-and-play option as WR2.

Jacolby George

Explosive and fast, George closed his Hurricanes career with 1,929 yards and 17 TDs. He’s a vertical threat who also brings yards-after-catch upside, traits this Jets offense sorely needs.

Jalin Hyatt

The Giants’ handling of Hyatt has been shaky, but his deep speed is undeniable. A trade across town could give Hyatt a fresh start while giving the Jets a legitimate field-stretcher with still a high ceiling.

Ryan Miller (Buccaneers) – A developmental name to keep tabs on; he flashed upside in camp. Miller has sure hands and has proven a savvy route runner in the past, but he’d need multiple injuries in front of him to garner any consistent action

Tim Patrick (Jaguars)

Big-bodied, reliable, and a steady red-zone option. Patrick would bring size and physicality to a room that lacks it.

Zay Jones

An underrated veteran with toughness and versatility. Jones could step in as WR2 or WR3 and immediately ease the pressure on Wilson.

Rashid Shaheed – A dynamic speedster who can win deep but also add value on special teams. Exactly the kind of explosive threat this WR room lacks.

Diontae Johnson

One of the NFL’s most skilled route runners, though he’s stuck in a strange decline. If the Jets could end that saga, Johnson could thrive as a high-volume WR2.

Tyler Lockett (Titans) – In Tennessee, Lockett saw only 1 target on 33 snaps in Week One. If he’s not central to their plans, he could be a perfect fit for Engstrand: efficient, dependable, and a savvy route runner.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Injuries and media noise have clouded his career, but when healthy, Beckham still separates at a high level. His ability to win in the short game and generate YAC could be exactly what Engstrand needs.

Other Names Worth Exploring

• Robbie Anderson (Chosen) – Nicknamed “One Route Robby” for his deep-ball tendencies, he’s streaky but still has the speed to stretch defenses. Even as a rotational piece, he could force coverage to loosen around Wilson.
• Ashton Dulin (Colts) Primarily a depth piece and special-teamer, but his straight-line speed gives him upside as a role player.
• KJ Hamler – A blur when healthy, Hamler adds pure speed. Durability is a major concern, but even as a rotational piece, he would force defenses to respect the deep ball.
• Jimmy Horn Jr. (Panthers) – Small but electric, Horn thrives with the ball in his hands. With Xavier Gipson’s release, Horn could be a sneaky addition to fill that gadget/return role with more upside. Could be an excellent RPO player
• Michael Thomas – Though no longer the dominant force he once was, Thomas still offers size, contested-catch ability, and experience. He’d give Fields a reliable safety blanket on key downs.

The Packers’ Wideout Depth: A Trade Market to Watch

Few teams are as stacked at receiver as the Green Bay Packers. Once healthy, they’ll be forced to juggle a deep rotation including Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, and Savion Williams. That depth means one or more of those players could be available for trade, and the Jets should absolutely be watching closely. Some of the best options to acquire are on this roster

Veterans Still on the Market

If the Jets just want stability, veterans like Tyler Boyd, Allen Robinson, Jamison Crowder, Robert Woods, or even a reunion with Crowder could provide the kind of experience this roster lacks.

Best Case Scenario Targets

If the Jets want to swing for the fences and chase ceiling rather than depth, these names stand out:

• Chris Olave (Saints) – With New Orleans possibly heading toward another reset, Olave could become available. Pairing him with Wilson would give Fields a Buckeye connection and one of the best young WR duos in the league.
• Isaiah Likely(Ravens) -Though not a wideout, Isaiah Likely of the Ravens is a highly productive receiving tight end who could thrive in Engstrand’s scheme. His ability to line up flexed out or in the slot makes him a pseudo-WR option, giving Fields another mismatch weapon.
• Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts) – A big-bodied, tough receiver who can dominate contested catches and work the intermediate areas. Pittman would instantly give the Jets the size and physicality their WR room lacks.
• Michael Mayer (Raiders) – Currently splitting time with rookie Brock Bowers, Mayer still has a high ceiling as a young, athletic tight end. He could give the Jets a long-term answer at pass-catching TE.
• Mike Gesicki (Bengals) – A veteran tight end who thrives in short-to-intermediate routes. His consistency could make him a vital security blanket for Fields in Engstrand’s ball-control passing game.
• Jameson Williams (Lions) -A true burner with elite deep speed, Williams hasn’t fully broken out yet in Detroit but the talent is obvious. If the Lions’ crowded WR room limits his role, the Jets should pounce. His ability to stretch defenses vertically would create more space for Garrett Wilson and open up Engstrand’s short-yardage schemes. Pairing Williams with Fields’ arm strength could unlock explosive plays the Jets’ offense currently lacks.
  

The Bottom Line

The Jets have the makings of a dangerous offense: With Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and a quarterback who can create with his legs. But without a WR2, defenses will load up against the run and key on Garrett Wilson, a recipe for disaster.

Tanner Engstrand’s system doesn’t demand bombs downfield, but it does demand reliable separators and versatile weapons. Whether by trade, free agency, or a low-risk flyer on a younger prospect, the Jets must act. Their season might just depend on it.