Zach Wilson is the starting quarterback for the New York Jets. Born and raised in Draper, Utah, Wilson attended local Corner Canyon High School. He was not a highly-touted college recruit, but showed enough to be recruited by Boise State University before finally deciding to stay closer to home at Brigham Young University. Wilson’s first two seasons at BYU were nothing to brag about. Through two seasons, Wilson threw for 3,960 yards, 23 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 7.9 yards per pass attempt. His performance took off in his junior season. Wilson’s completion percentage jumped to 73.5-percent, as he threw for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns to only three interceptions, and averaged 11 yards per attempt. He even flashed his 4.71 40-yard dash, running for 10 touchdowns.
Zach Wilson’s breakout junior season prompted the New York Jets to draft him with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Wilson’s rookie season, as most rookie seasons, was a roller coaster. The Jets won just three of Wilson’s 13 starts. His 6.1 yards per pass attempt ranked 32nd at the position. His QBR (28.5) was 30th among quarterbacks. Wilson’s 2,929 air yards were good for just 27th at the position. He finished his rookie season with 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions along with 185 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He totaled just 151.9 fantasy points, 30th among quarterbacks.
Zach Wilson did, at times, flash the talent and skill that led to him being selected so high in the NFL Draft. His 43 deep ball attempts were 25th among quarterbacks, and his 39.5-percent deep ball completion percentage was 15th at the position. His 7.6 air yards per attempt were 20th at the position. As well, his 7.8 accuracy rating ranked 12th among quarterbacks, and his 60.5-percent red zone completion percentage ranked ninth. There is plenty to get excited about. The Jets have amassed a core of young, productive, and exciting skill position players. They also have north of $50 million in salary cap space to spend while Wilson is on his rookie contract. There are plenty of avenues for the Jets to improve their roster and make life easier for Zach Wilson. It appears they are committed to setting him up for success.
