Garrett Wilson was a five-star prospect from the historic Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. He chose to attend Ohio State University, where he contributed immediately in his freshman year with 432 receiving yards. In his sophomore season, Wilson’s target share exploded to 28-percent and he nearly matched the receiving yardage of teammate Chris Olave on seven fewer receptions. Wilson's 723 yards was No. 2 on the team, even while playing alongside standout college receivers Jameson Williams and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In addition to being one of the Buckeyes' top wideouts, Wilson also got work as a punt returner (51 punt return yards) and as a runner (2 attempts for 67 yards). His breakaway speed was evident on film. Had there been a 12-game regular season in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Wilson was on pace to finish with 95 targets, 65 receptions, and 1,085 yards.
In 2021, the Buckeyes had a new true freshman quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Wilson broke through the 1,000 yard threshold that season - at age 21. He caught 68-percent of his targets in back-to-back seasons (2020 and 2021), and overtook Chris Olave as the second leading receiver on the team 2021. Both were behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the team in receptions and receiving yardage.
Wilson was invited to the 2021 NFL Combine, where he demonstrated above average athleticism. He ran a 4.38 40 (94th percentile), rendering a 64th-percentile Speed Score with his size (184-pounds) taken into account. He also recorded an above average (58-percentile) Burst Score. What is not captured by his Combine metrics is Wilson’s ability to separate and find space in defenses.
Wilson was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft (1.10) by the New York Jets. Any concerns Jets fans had over Garrett Wilson were quickly dispelled as the star wideout posted an eight-reception, 102-yard, 2-touchdown performance against the Browns in Week 2. Wilson displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the season despite catching passes from a committee of Joe Flacco, Zach Wilson, Mike White and Chris Streveler. The former Buckeye's first season in the NFL culminated with an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Aaron Rodgers became the Jets quarterback for the 2023 season, but went out with a torn achilles in Week 1. The Jets were back to having Zach Wilson under center and the whole offense suffered. The second-year receiver managed his second 1,000-yard season, but wound up the fantasy WR32 in PPG with only three touchdowns.
