Everything felt so certain a couple of years ago. Remember that? Aaron Rodgers was under center, Davante Adams was the splashy mid-season acquisition, and the New York Jets were supposedly a "wide receiver room away" from a deep playoff run.
Well, life comes at you fast in the NFL.
If you look at the nyj wr depth chart today, in January 2026, it’s basically unrecognizable. The Rodgers era ended with more of a whimper than a bang, Davante Adams is currently chasing a Super Bowl with the Rams, and the Jets have officially entered a massive rebuild. They’ve traded away superstars like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to stockpile draft picks, and that philosophy has trickled down to the pass catchers.
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Honestly, it’s a weird mix of elite talent at the top and "who is that?" at the bottom. But with over $85 million in cap space and the number seven overall pick in the upcoming draft, this depth chart is about to undergo another massive facelift.
The Alpha: Garrett Wilson is still the guy (when healthy)
Let’s be real. Without Garrett Wilson, this offense would be borderline unwatchable. He’s the only real holdover from the previous "win-now" window who actually lived up to the hype.
Even in a disastrous 2025 season where the Jets went 3-14, Wilson was the lone bright spot until he got banged up. Before his injury, he was putting up respectable numbers—36 catches for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns in just 7 games. Those aren't "Best in the League" stats, but look at who was throwing him the ball. Between a struggling Justin Fields and various bridge options, Wilson was basically running routes for his life.
Going into the 2026 offseason, Wilson remains the WR1. He’s 25, he’s in the prime of his career, and he’s the guy the next franchise quarterback will rely on. The Jets picked up his fifth-year option, so he’s not going anywhere, but he desperately needs a running mate who can take the lid off the defense.
The New Faces: John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell
The biggest shocks to the nyj wr depth chart came from the 2025 trade deadline fire sale. When the Jets moved Sauce Gardner, they didn't just get picks; they looked for young players with "reclamation project" written all over them.
John Metchie III has essentially taken over the slot role. He’s been solid, if unspectacular. After everything he’s been through—including his battle with leukemia early in his career—it’s just good to see him on the field. He’s a restricted free agent this spring, but most insiders expect the Jets to keep him around. He’s a "chain mover." You need those guys when you’re breaking in a young QB.
Then you have Adonai Mitchell. He’s the wildcard.
Mitchell has the size and the "X" receiver profile that the Jets have lacked since, well, forever. He’s shown flashes of being a vertical threat, but consistency is the bugaboo here. He’ll have a 100-yard game and then disappear for three weeks. If he can ever put it all together, he and Wilson could be a dangerous duo. For now, he’s listed as the primary starter opposite Wilson on the perimeter.
What Happened to Malachi Corley?
This is the one that still hurts for a lot of fans. Malachi Corley was supposed to be the "YAC King." The Deebo Samuel lite.
It just didn’t happen.
Corley struggled to grasp the playbook and, frankly, the "steep learning curve" the scouts warned about turned into a brick wall. He was actually cut before the 2025 season even finished, which is pretty rare for a high second-round pick so early in his career. It’s a cautionary tale about drafting for a specific niche (screens and slants) without ensuring the player can run a full NFL route tree.
His absence left a vacuum in the middle of the field that the Jets are still trying to fill with guys like Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith.
The 2026 Roster: Who is currently under contract?
If you were to look at the official locker room nameplates right now, here is how the pecking order sits. It's not a "table" because the NFL is fluid, but think of it in tiers:
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The Starters
- WR1: Garrett Wilson. The heartbeat. He’s the only one you can truly count on for 10-plus targets a game.
- WR2: Adonai Mitchell. The high-upside vertical threat who needs to work on his hands.
- Slot: John Metchie III. The reliable, short-area technician.
The Rotation/Special Teams
- Arian Smith: Pure speed. He’s mostly a deep-threat specialist and return man.
- Isaiah Williams: A scrappy undrafted guy who earned snaps late in '25.
- Quentin Skinner: Currently the WR5. He’s got size (6'5") but is mostly a developmental project.
The Futures/Reserve
- Mac Dalena & Jamaal Pritchett: These guys are on "Reserve/Future" contracts. Basically, they’re fighting for a spot in training camp this summer.
The Jordyn Tyson Rumors
You can’t talk about the nyj wr depth chart without mentioning the 2026 NFL Draft. Since the Jets are sitting at pick number seven, the mock drafts are already flying.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has been banging the drum for Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to land in New York. Tyson is a monster. He had 10 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards in 2024, and despite some injury concerns, he’s widely considered the best receiver in this class.
Adding Tyson would move Adonai Mitchell to a WR3 role, which honestly fits his current skill set much better. A trio of Wilson, Tyson, and Metchie (with Mason Taylor at Tight End) would actually give a new quarterback a fighting chance.
Financial Reality and the Road Ahead
The Jets have a ton of money. Like, "buy a small island" money.
They have about $85 million in cap space, which is top-five in the league. They also have the most draft capital of any team in the first two rounds thanks to the trades of their defensive stars.
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The strategy is clear:
- Draft the QB: Whether they move up from seven or stand pat, they need a signal-caller.
- Overhaul the depth: Expect them to sign at least one veteran "safety valve" receiver in free agency—someone like a Josh Reynolds type (who is an impending free agent for them) or a cheap vet to mentor the kids.
- Fix the Line: You can have Jerry Rice and Randy Moss, but if your QB is on his back in 2.5 seconds, it doesn't matter.
The nyj wr depth chart is currently a skeleton crew. It’s a group of young, unproven players surrounding one superstar who is probably tired of losing. But for the first time in a while, the Jets aren't trying to "buy" a championship with 34-year-old veterans. They’re building through the draft.
It’s going to be a long spring in Florham Park. If you're a fan, keep an eye on those mock drafts and the compensatory pick announcements. The current depth chart you see today will likely look 50% different by the time the first kickoff happens in September.
Actionable Next Steps for Jets Fans:
- Watch Jordyn Tyson highlights: If the Jets don't trade up for a QB, he is the most likely name to join the room.
- Monitor the John Metchie III RFA status: If the Jets don't tender him, it signals they are going for a total "clean slate" at the slot position.
- Track the Salary Cap: With $85M available, the Jets could easily absorb a high-contract veteran receiver if a team like the Bengals or Eagles looks to shed salary.
The days of the "Rodgers and Friends" receiver room are dead. Now, it's about seeing if Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn can actually build a sustainable foundation. It starts with giving Garrett Wilson some help.