The New York Jets have a bonafide No. 1 wide receiver on their roster, but those placing Garrett Wilson into an elite tier may be overrating the third-year player.
At least, that's what Minnesota Vikings' All-Pro Justin Jefferson is suggesting.
Going up against the San Francisco 49ers' vaunted defense and cornerback Charvarius Ward in the season opener, Wilson had his moments, especially in extending the Jets' first-quarter touchdown drive, but he finished the game with far from elite numbers. Wilson secured 6 of 11 targets for 60 yards and no touchdowns and in the 32-19 road loss.
After keeping the Jets at bay, the 49ers will have to deal with Jefferson and the Vikings in Week 2.
"Respectfully, I'm not Garrett Wilson. Teams play me totally different," said Jefferson while addressing reporters.
Jefferson is pretty accurate in his assessment of how he stacks up against Wilson. In only 10 games last year, Jefferson totaled more receiving yards (1,074) than Wilson (1,042) did in 17 games.
"There's things that I can take from that [Jets] game, for sure. Things that I can take from last year, how they [49ers] played us last year. I've seen it tremendous times, teams play totally different when I'm on the field versus when I'm not out there on the field," said Jefferson.
While Wilson, a 2022 first-round draft pick, has kicked off his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Jefferson reached the 1,400-yard mark as a rookie and followed with 1,616 yards in Year 2. He made 17 touchdown receptions over his first two seasons while Wilson has only seven career scores.
In his third pro season (2022), Jefferson led the NFL in receptions (128) and receiving yards (1,809).
Jefferson has a new quarterback in 2024 as former Jets' franchise field general Sam Darnold has resurfaced with the Vikings, who have lost first-round rookie JJ McCarthy to a season-ending injury. Minnesota's three-time Pro Bowl selection suggestively hinted that he's the best wide receiver that Darnold has ever thrown to.
"It's a little bit different for him now to have now played with a top-tier receiver like me and having to deal with those different coverages all over the field," said Jefferson.
The Jets have a good one in Wilson, but Jefferson is in a class of his own.
More New York Jets News:
• Jets' ultimate fantasy football start and sit candidates vs. Titans
• Allen Lazard's two-word response on difference from first season with Jets
• Jets' veteran starter potentially on hot seat heading into NFL Week 2
• Why this Jets' defender has most to prove in Week 2 vs. Titans
• Jets sign former seven-year starter to Practice Squad as OL insurance
