Garrett Wilson Takes Control In the Offensive Rookie of the Year Race

New York Jets rookie wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, has had a sensational rookie year campaign. Despite all the uncertainty at the quarterback position, Wilson has managed to produce efficiently throughout the year. 

The Jets receiver has recently jumped in front of Seahawks running back, Kenneth Walker, as the favorite in the Offensive Rookie of the Year award race. With only two weeks to go in the regular season, the award is now Wilson’s to lose. 

In the Week 16 loss to the Jaguars Garrett Wilson had four catches for 30 yards. It wasn’t the Ohio State product’s best performance but it put him four yards short of 1,000 receiving yards for the season. Wilson has already passed Keyshawn Johnson for the most receiving yards for a rookie in Jets history.

Wilson has received praise all year long for his performance. He had a solid outing in Week 1 but in Week 2 he burst onto the scene, going for over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a comeback win in Cleveland. His best performance of the year came in Week 13 against the Vikings. Wilson caught eight passes for 162 yards, but the Jets were not able to come away with a win. 

Garrett Wilson hasn’t fared as well with Zach Wilson as the Jets’ starting quarterback. The second-year quarterback has struggled in much of his game action this year. There are reports that the Jets are already ready to move on from the quarterback after the season ends.

If the Jets can figure out their quarterback situation moving forward Garrett Wilson could go for even bigger seasons then the one he’s currently having.

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker was the favorite in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race for a while. Walker was a big reason why the Seahawks started the season 6-3. However, both Walker and the Seahawks have fallen off over the past 7 weeks. Walker now finds himself with an uphill battle to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

The Seahawk’s final two matchups are against the Jets and the Rams. With the Jets coming up this week, Walker is in a great position to make a statement. He’ll have to outperform Garrett Wilson and his team may need to make the playoffs if he wants any chance at winning.

Brock Purdy is a name that you wouldn’t have found on the Offensive Rookie of the Year odds table coming into the season. Nor is it a name you would have found until about Week 15. Purdy has done a sensational job since taking over as the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback.

Purdy was the final pick in the 2022 NFL draft and is now looking to bring a Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area in his first season in the league.

Purdy has the third-best odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His limited action is what’s holding him back the most. The rookie didn’t make his first start until Week 14 but hasn’t lost since taking over the job. He’ll likely be denied this award. However, if he puts up a couple of incredible performances and Wilson and Walker fall off, the door could open for him.

Garrett Wilson should be able to hang on in this award race. The first-year Jet has had the most complete season among rookies. If it weren’t for quarterback issues it’s likely his numbers would be even better. 

Wilson could seal the Offensive Rookie of the Year award with a good performance this Sunday against Seattle. If he outplays Kenneth Walker, and Brock Purdy doesn’t explode over the next two weeks the award will be Wilson’s. Mike White will be the guy under center for the Jets in the last two weeks of the season which should help Wilson’s cause.

If Wilson wins this award It would mean the Jets would have the Offensive Rookie of the Year award winner, along with the Defensive Rookie of the Year winner. Sauce Gardner is an overwhelming favorite on the defensive side of the ball. Throw in Breece Hall and you’ve got yourself a stacked 2022 draft class. Despite their quarterback question marks, the future is bright for the New York Jets.