Zach Wilson

Wilson, the second pick in the 2021 draft, flamed out in New York and was traded to Denver in April. He will compete with veteran backup Jarrett Stidham to start -- if first-round pick Bo Nix isn’t ready for the job Week 1. Wilson became the starter last season after Aaron Rodgers was injured in the opener, but the season was as miserable as his first two. He finally lost the starting job Week 12, only two get it back by default two weeks later. A Week 15 concussion then ended the Jets' Wilson era. In three years as a Jet, he totaled 23 TD passes and 25 INTs. Wilson has a strong arm, but until he shakes his inaccuracy and poor decisions, he'll likely be the same QB in Denver that he was in New York.

Wilson was thrown into a starting role to begin his NFL career after being drafted second overall in 2021, but his 15:18 TD:INT in 22 starts suggests the former BYU standout would have been better off learning behind a veteran quarterback. Better late than never for Wilson, who will now get a chance to sit behind his childhood idol Aaron Rodgers. The Jets are hoping Wilson won't have to see the field in 2023, but if he's forced into action, Wilson will try to improve his questionable decision-making and poor accuracy so that his natural talent can finally shine through.

Wilson was the starter from Day 1 last season (aside from four midseason games missed to a knee injury), and it was a tough road for the No. 2 overall pick. There's no doubting his arm strength, but Wilson's accuracy was a major problem. He was last in the league in both on- target percentage (66.8) and completion percentage (55.6). Only Trevor Lawrence (6.0) had a lower YPA than Wilson's 6.1. His biggest stumbling block, though, was short and intermediate throws. On downfield throws, his rates were middle of the pack. On attempts of less than 15 yards, he ranked last by at least four percentage points in both on-target rate (70.4 percent) and completion rate (59.2 percent). Sloppy mechanics and footwork led to missed throws, but Wilson was an accurate college quarterback, so perhaps there's hope. The Jets helped him this offseason by drafting WR Garrett Wilson (4.38 40) 10th overall and RB Breece Hall in the second round. They join wideouts Elijah Moore, Corey Davis and Braxton Berrios and running back Michael Carter, creating a solid collection of skill players for Wilson to target. Strong-armed and athletic, Wilson has the tools to put up fantasy points, but he won't take advantage until he improves his accuracy and starts using his mobility as a runner (29 rushes last season). To that end, he may be limited (or even absent) early in the season, after suffering a meniscus injury and bone bruise in New York's preseason opener. The injury could impact his mobility even if Wilson makes it back for Week 1.

The second overall pick in this year's draft, Wilson is the new starting QB after the Jets traded Sam Darnold to Carolina. Wilson brings a powerful arm that can make any throw, including downfield passes on the run, and he has good accuracy to every level. At BYU last season, he completed 73.5 percent of his passes (2nd in FBS) with 33 TDs and three INTs. Wilson also has excellent mobility and athleticism, though at 6-2, 214, he lacks ideal size. And while he was a three-year collegiate starter, he was also a one-year wonder, throwing 23 TD passes in 18 games his first two seasons. Wilson needs to be quicker at reading defenses and working through progressions. Nevertheless, his skill set is a good match for an offensive system that should be similar to Kyle Shanahan's. Head coach Robert Saleh and OC Mike LaFleur both come from the 49ers, and the offense likely will feature a lot of play-action, boots and throwing on the move, all of which Wilson excels at. The Jets used their next two picks after Wilson to help their new QB, trading up to draft Morris Trophy winner Alijah Vera-Tucker at 14th overall and later using the 34th pick on WR Elijah Moore, who ran a 4.35 40 at his pro day. They also signed Corey Davis and are counting on Denzel Mims developing in his second year. Perhaps with a new regime in New York, Wilson will fare better than the team's other young QBs in recent years.