Garrett Wilson Poised for a Breakout 2025, Says ESPN Analyst
Garrett Wilson has already made a major impact in his first three seasons with the New York Jets, rewriting the team’s record books. Now, one ESPN analyst believes he’s on the verge of doing something historic in 2025.
Ben Solak of ESPN made a bold prediction, stating that Wilson will lead the NFL in receiving yards this upcoming season.
“Garrett Wilson is the most talented receiver Justin Fields has ever worked with,” Solak wrote in a column published on May 27. “He’s clearly the top option in New York, with the biggest talent gap between him and the next-best receiver on the roster. Despite regularly facing tough defensive matchups and running deep, contested routes, Wilson has still thrived. New offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is expected to give him more high-efficiency opportunities this season.”
Analyst Stands Firm on Earlier Prediction
Rather than backing down after last year’s forecast didn’t pan out, Solak is doubling down. He previously picked Wilson as a dark horse candidate for 2024’s Offensive Player of the Year alongside Mina Kimes on her podcast, The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny.
“If Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, Wilson could put up unreal stats,” Kimes said at the time, pointing out how much Rodgers relies on his No. 1 targets—like Davante Adams, who had 170 targets in 2021.
Though Wilson didn’t earn OPOY votes in 2024, he still delivered a personal-best season: 101 catches, 1,104 yards, and seven touchdowns.
To top the league in receiving, Wilson would need to surpass numbers put up by past leaders like Ja’Marr Chase (1,708 yards in 2024), Tyreek Hill (1,799 in 2023), Justin Jefferson (1,809 in 2022), and Cooper Kupp (1,947 in 2021). The average leading total over the last five years is approximately 1,759.6 yards.
Chasing Respect and Records
Despite his accomplishments, Wilson hasn’t yet been recognized among the NFL’s elite wideouts. The main reason? His stats haven’t quite matched the league’s top-tier receivers.
But if Solak’s prediction proves accurate, all of that could change.
The current Jets record for most receiving yards in a season belongs to Brandon Marshall, who racked up 1,502 yards in 2015. If Wilson manages to eclipse that—and challenge the league average for receiving leaders—he could not only set a new franchise record but also cement his place among the NFL’s best.
