ESPN gave us a list which is pretty similar to the life of a New York Jets fan: There is good and bad news.
The former world-wide leader named 15 players that are the best second-year breakout candidates.
Gang green sees one of there players pop up on this list and pretty high on it as well–but perhaps not the one many would be hoping for.
New York wide receiver Elijah Moore was placed third on ESPN’s ranking. He’s the lone Jets player, meaning second-year quarterback Zach Wilson did not.
First, here’s what ESPN said about Moore’s 2022 outlook:
This breakout might have already happened in 2021 were it not for New York’s quarterback situation and the fact that Moore missed the last five games of his rookie campaign with a quad injury. Flip on the tape, and it’s clear Moore can get open. Fellow rookie Zach Wilson simply couldn’t find him in rhythm enough.
For the other Jets quarterbacks who filled in when Wilson went down for four weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, finding Moore wasn’t a problem. In those contests, Moore averaged 2.92 yards per route with four touchdowns. In the other seven games with Wilson at the helm, the rookie receiver averaged 1.05 yards per route with only one score.
While that obviously means Moore’s breakout hinges heavily on Wilson showing considerably improved mastery of the offense in Year 2, it also means the breakout is imminent if Wilson does make that leap.
As a rookie, Moore put up 43 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns. Based on his personal production alone, he should be poised for a good Year 2.
Factoring in the Jets selection of Garrett Wilson and you have further reason for optimism. While one might think Wilson could take away targets from Moore, think again.
With Wilson manning an outside receiver spot with Moore on the inside, he’ll more than likely take attention away from Moore and even the likes of Corey Davis. New York’s offense could be a much deeper unit in 2022 because of this.
Now onto the bigger question: Wilson not appearing.
No Wilson is one thing, but having two other quarterbacks appear is where the heads turn a bit. Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) pops in a No. 1 on the list while Trey Lance (49ers) is at 8.
Lance is the more curious one because he has less than half the amount of game experience as Wilson, six starts to 13. Plus, even factoring in Lawrence and the Jags, the Jets might have a much better roster on offense opposed to both of these clubs.
That will go a long way in helping a second-year QB and that’s very overlooked by ESPN.
