Robert Saleh noticed something different about Zack Wilson.
“Zach looks good. He’s definitely hit the weight room, he looks muscular,” Saleh told the team’s training camp at Florham Park on Saturday. In a good way. He is definitely full. But he still has all his slack and can throw the ball with all the zips and all that stuff. ,
Wilson physically looks like an NFL quarterback and isn’t likely to drop out of college, but that’s not the only thing about him that has improved.
The Jets’ second year QB traveled across the country this off-season to improve his chemistry with his receivers as well as become a better leader. Starting the left tackle, George Fant also noticed that Wilson had more “swag” than the previous season.
And his mental sharpness with regard to mastering the Jets’ offensive plan seems light-years ahead of where it was last spring.
“We’ve got a week of Phase 2 where we can finally get there, rehearse and do all that,” Saleh said. “He’s got a really good command over the offense and he’s done a really good job in that regard,” Saleh said. “There are little things he’s doing where you see a little bit more security. And he’s not a rookie, so he’s being a little more assertive. So, he looks good. He’s getting more comfortable.”
The plan would be easy enough for Wilson to execute with aggressive additions made by the Jets throughout the offseason.
Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson with tight ends CJ Uzoma and Tyler Conklin were acquired within the first few days of free agency to supercharge the offensive line and tight end group.
The Jets then drafted Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson with the number 10 overall pick, along with Corey Davis, Eliza Moore, and Braxton Berios, to add to Wilson’s arms.
Garrett’s skills should smooth his transition from college to the NFL, and help his new QB.
“He has tremendous body control, range, and excellent route running ability. He’s got a lot of versatility to win those one-on-one wins we talked about in yesterday’s Man coverage,” Saleh said of Garrett. When Team Man was in coverage, there will definitely be things he has to work on like every rookie does but really excited to bring him more versatility.”
Gang Greene also drafted former Iowa State star Bryce Hall (at number 36), who was considered one of the best running back prospects of the 2022 draft class. Hall ran for 3,941 yards and 50 touchdowns in his college career. Adding a weapon like that should reduce Wilson’s pressure as the jets can become a more balanced offense.
The Jets played their part by adding a lot of talent around Wilson. And so far, Wilson has played his part too.
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The Jets have signed their No. 4 overall pick, Sous Gardner. It’s a four-year contract with a full guarantee of $38.7M. This includes a $25.3M signing bonus with the standard fifth year option.
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