New York Jets WR2: Ranking top candidates behind Garrett Wilson

The New York Jets' second wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson is up for grabs. Today, we rank the top candidates.

The New York Jets did everything they could this offseason to build an offense around quarterback Justin Fields. This includes using their top two picks on offensive players: right tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor.

However, there is still an obvious need for the team to move forward.

Finding a consistent second receiver to play alongside Garrett Wilson will be important this year. New York signed plenty of free agents to compete for the spot, but four legitimate candidates currently compete for the WR2 role on the offense.

Today, we rank those players.

Ranking the Jets’ top WR2 candidates

Ranking the top candidates for the New York Jets’ WR2 is daunting. First and foremost, the second wide receiver spot won’t be as much of an immediate need due to who the quarterback is.

A Justin Fields-specific scheme will look drastically different from someone like Aaron Rodgers.

Fields targets the tight end position and a team’s featured receiver more than any other position. There won’t be a significant demand for the position to start the 2025 season.

That being said, four candidates will still be fighting for considerable playing time to begin the year. And we’ve ranked them from the most likely to the most challenging path forward.

Allen Lazard

Of all the names on this list, Allen Lazard has the most experience and is a good locker room leader. Those are just some reasons why he is considered the “favorite” to land the top WR2 spot.

That said, he has always had a problem catching the football. His drop percentage of 10% was one of the highest in the NFL last season despite battling injuries and missing five games.

If Lazard can improve those drop issues just a bit (it’s doubtful considering he has had those issues throughout his career), he could be a quality WR2 option for the Jets.

As of now, though, he’ll have to settle for being the favorite heading into rookie camp.

Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson has never recorded over 400 yards in his career, and has never caught over 40 passes. Despite this, he has the kind of speed teams look for to develop their passing game.

He costs just $1.2 million, so there’s little risk involved if he isn’t able to produce immediately for the Jets.

He’s an underrated candidate to earn the job, though.

Josh Reynolds

Josh Reynolds was a quality receiver for both the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams before struggling with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos. He’s battled many injuries throughout his career, but he has the speed a second receiver needs to stretch the defense back.

Drops are another part of his struggles, but apparently, most of the people on this list are working through that at the moment. He’s not making a ton of money (just $2.75 million), so he could be a roster cut by the Jets just as likely as he could be the team’s WR2.

Malachi Corley

Coming out of college at Western Kentucky, Malachi Corley was nicknamed the “YAC King” for his ability to dominate once the ball was in his hands.

He never had the opportunity to show that last season with the previous regime. Now with Glenn and Mougey running the show, the Jets have to determine what they have in Corley once and for all.

Can he develop as a route-runner fast enough? Will fourth-round rookie Arian Smith beat him to a roster spot?

Whatever the case, Corley is fighting for his football future this year with the Jets.