Do the Jets really need a tall wide receiver to help Wilson in the red zone?

The common phrase uttered when draft analysts speak about who is the best pass catcher in this year’s draft is “pick your flavor.” Most agree there is not much difference in talent level among the top of this year’s class, it is just a case of what you want your receiver to do.

We know that the Jets value receivers that pick up yards after the catch. Yet a lot of the talk around today’s version of the water cooler, the Twittersphere, has revolved around Gang Green getting Zach Wilson a big, tall red zone target. A guy that “goes up and gets it.”

But is that even a thing?

Last year seven out of the top 10 wide receivers in terms of red-zone targets were 6-foot-1 or less.

Now let’s look at who’s hauling in the targets. Of the top 10 wide receivers in red-zone receptions last season, seven out of 10 were 6-foot-1 or shorter.

Maybe 2021 was an outlier

So I thought maybe last season was an oddity, so I looked at 2020, and to my surprise the results were similar. In 2020 six of the top 10 wide receivers in red-zone targets were 6-foot-1 or shorter. How about red-zone receptions? Glad you asked, seven of 10 again in 2020.

But the big guys score all the touch downs in the red-zone, right?

To quote Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friends.” in both 2021 and 2020 six of the top 10 wide receivers in red-zone scores were 6-foot-1 or shorter.

Tighting things up

Ok, so far we have looked at the red zone, from the 20-yard line to the end zone. What about if we look at a smaller window? If we focus on the red zone but only inside the ten-yard line. Last year when it came to targets inside the red zone inside the ten, four were 6-foot-1 or shorter. But when it come to receptions inside the ten-yard line six of 10 were 6-foot-1 or shorter.

In 2020 seven of the top 10 wide receivers in red-zone targets from inside the 10-yard line were 6-foot-1 or shorter and the same held true in receptions. Touchdowns? Same results, seven of 10 were 6-foot-1 or shorter.

Conclusion

After looking at the past two seasons it is not necessary for the Jets to draft a tall receiver to help Wilson in the red zone. Being a taller pass-catcher has no impact on red zone effectiveness. What the Jets need are players that can get open regardless of height. If you are still hung up on the Jets needing tall red zone targets remember they signed two tight ends in Tyler Conklin (6’3″) and C.J. Uzomah (6’5″) that will provide that dimension to the Jets’ red zone offense next season.