Jets' glaring wide receiver weakness grows ahead of Week 3 vs. Buccaneers
With Josh Reynolds out, the Jets lean on Tyler Johnson, Allen Lazard and rookie Arian Smith to step up behind Garrett Wilson as Tyrod Taylor starts in Tampa Bay.
The Jets’ push to establish a viable No. 2 receiver behind Garrett Wilson is spilling into Week 3, with Sunday’s trip to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers. Through two games, the rest of New York’s wideouts have combined for five receptions. With veteran Josh Reynolds ruled out with a hamstring issue, opportunities for Tyler Johnson, Allen Lazard and rookie Arian Smith to supply a complementary target for Tyrod Taylor will be front-and-center in Tampa.
Arian Smith has just one catch for eight yards on two targets in two NFL games, and he had a 10-yard loss on a reverse in the opener against the Bills. The Jets’ fourth-round pick, who grew up near Tampa, says he’s ready to play more and to help Wilson and the rest of the receiving group. Johnson, signed to a one-year, $1.17 million deal after two seasons with the Rams, has two receptions on three targets in his first two appearances with the Jets. He says every time his number is called, he must make a play and help the team play their brand of football.
Lazard, 29, was inactive for Week 1’s loss to longtime Packers and Jets teammate Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers; against the Bills, Lazard dressed but played just 22 snaps (12 running plays) with zero targets. He says the Jets must keep grinding in the run game to open up the pass and that opportunities will come as the offense evolves. Lazard also emphasized the continuity in the quarterback room, noting there’s not a meaningful difference between Tyrod Taylor and the injured starter for the week, and praising Taylor’s approach and preparation.
Taylor, a 15-year NFL veteran with seven teams, will start Sunday in place of the injured starter Justin Fields (concussion). Johnson also stressed there is not much difference between the QBs, pointing to the comfort from having Tyrod here last year as Rodgers’ backup and the overall familiarity with the offense. He said Taylor’s work ethic and pro approach are infectious and that there’s no dropoff when he runs the scout team or takes reps with the first unit.
Wilson, who signed a $130 million contract extension in July, has totaled 11 receptions for 145 yards on 17 targets entering Week 3. That production is more than twice as many catches and targets as the rest of the Jets’ wide receivers combined.