Latest news may prove Jets’ risky gamble is on track to pay off and it should make Aaron Rodgers’ 2024 better
The Jets tried to sign wide receiver Mike Williams from the Los Angeles Chargers the first time he became a free agent a few seasons ago. He ultimately decided to return to the team that drafted him out of Clemson. The Jets didn’t miss when they got a second chance this offseason. The Chargers, who […]
The Jets tried to sign wide receiver Mike Williams from the Los Angeles Chargers the first time he became a free agent a few seasons ago. He ultimately decided to return to the team that drafted him out of Clemson.
The Jets didn’t miss when they got a second chance this offseason. The Chargers, who were in a really bad salary cap situation, had to let go of Williams and the Jets pounced quickly to bring in the 29-year-old even though they knew he was still recovering from a knee injury. Williams tore his ACL in Week 3 at Minnesota in the final two minutes of the third quarter after he reeled in 7 passes for 121 yards and a 49-yard touchdown.
While it was unclear just how long the injury would sideline Williams, the Jets got a little more clarification at mini camps this week.
Robert Saleh speaking to the media today said that Williams is rehabbing at the Jets facility and not on his own. While Saleh didn’t want to put a specific timeline on Williams’ return, he did say that Williams is “progressing” and he does “look good” while rehabbing in Florham Park.
The Jets signed Williams on March 19th knowing he likely would not be ready for the start of training camp, but they do expect him to be ready by the start of the regular season. Williams is slated to be the number two receiver behind Garrett Wilson, a role that Allen Lazard failed at miserably last season.
Jets Will Need Williams to Succeed
ESPN NFL Analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks one of the key factors for the Jets’ offense this season will be how many yards after catch (YAC) they can generate to help Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets seem to agree with Orlovsky, which is why they were so excited to trade up for Malachi Corley out of Western Kentucky in the NFL Draft. Corley’s nickname is the “YAC King”. Corley amassed 2,068 yards after the catch in his college career, by far the most in the FBS.
As for the current Jets, they did not fare as well. Last season their best wide receiver (Breece Hall lead the team with 649 YAC, an average of 8.5 YAC per reception) was Xavier Gipson. Gipson had 109 total YAC, an average of 5.2 YAC per reception (YAC/R). Star Jets receiver Garrett Wilson only managed 3.4 YAC/R and Allen Lazard was a laughable 2.4 YAC/R.
Obviously, part of that has to do with quarterback play. The receivers need to be able to catch the ball in a place that doesn’t immediately get them hit. It’s the difference between throwing to an open receiver and throwing a receiver open.
Mike Williams would have led the team with a 5.7 YAC/R. He had 109 YAC in only three games. If Dan Orlovsky’s analysis of the Jets offense is correct, Williams will need to be one of the major factors in their offensive game plan.
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