4 NFL Wide Receiver Position Battles to Watch: Can Garrett Wilson Play a Major Role with Jets?
Training camps are underway in the NFL, and there’s a full slate of preseason games this week beginning Thursday. It’s a fitting time to look at the depth charts to highlight four wide receiver position battles and analyze them along with each player’s odds to lead the NFL in receiving yards from DraftKings Sportsbooks.
4 NFL Wide Receiver Position Battles
New York Jets: Garrett Wilson vs. Corey Davis
With sophomore wide receiver Elijah Moore atop the depth chart, Wilson and Davis appear likely to battle for secondary targets from second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. Davis had a disappointing first season with the Jets in 2021, as he was limited to nine games and caught just 34 passes for 492 yards and four touchdowns.
It’s further discouraging for Davis’ outlook that the Jets went to the well again and selected Wilson of the 2022 NFL Draft after taking Moore with the 34th overall selection last year.
The rookie wide receiver will need to prove he’s ready for the NFL level to completely supplant Davis, and it’s likely all three wideouts are consistently involved barring any injuries. Now, the Jets just need consistent quarterback play to fuel the passing attack.
Receiving yards odds: Wilson (+10000) and Davis (+15000)
Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks vs. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine vs. Kyle Philips
Rookies Burks and Philips were listed as backups on the first Tennessee depth chart of the season with Robert Woods and Westbrook-Ikhine listed ahead of them. Woods projects to remain a vertical staple, but there’s potential for Burks and Philips to both establish themselves as superior options to Westbrook-Ikhine.
Despite a rocky start to the offseason, Burks is still probably the best bet to land a starting gig and earn a sizable target share after the Titans selected him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Additionally, Philips projects to operate more out of the slot, which is where Westbrook-Ikhine lined up most in 2021.
There probably won't be all kinds of targets up for grabs, though. Tennessee aired it out the eighth fewest times in the league last season, and they also played without star running back Derrick Henry for nine games.
Receiving yards odds: Burks (+10000), Westbrook-Ikhine (OTB) and Philips (OTB)
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Green Bay Packers: Sammy Watkins vs. Christian Watson vs. Romeo Doubs
With Watkins back practicing following a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier in camp, he is the favorite to start opposite No. 1 wide receiver Allen Lazard. The eight-year veteran has battled injuries for the majority of his career, and he last suited up for a full season as a rookie in 2014.
As a result, Doubs’ camp performance is all the more meaningful. He could land in an important role in the offense at some point or for a prolonged stretch this season, and catching passes from four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a cushy gig for plenty of wide receivers over the years.
Finally, it appears Watson will slot in well down the depth chart to start the campaign. He’s currently on the active/PUP list following offseason knee surgery and is expected to miss most of training camp. Green Bay also has veteran receiver Randall Cobb in the mix to make Watson’s path to playing time even more difficult.
Receiving yards odds: Watkins (+20000), Walker (OTB) and Doubs (OTB)
Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman vs. Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. Skyy Moore
Trading wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins during the offseason, and then letting free-agent wideouts Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson walk has the Kansas City depth chart looking brand new.
Beat writers are handing the No. 1 job to first-year KC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and tight end Travis Kelce has topped 100 targets and 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past six seasons, so quarterbacK Patrick Mahomes’ top-two targets are established.
It’s the secondary looks that are up for grabs, and if Hardman, Valdes-Scantling or Moore can elevate above their peers, being third in the pecking order of a potent offense brings statistical upside. However, don’t be surprised if all three land in supporting roles and receive similar snaps and targets for the majority of the 2022 season.
Receiving yards odds: Valdes-Scantling (+10000), Hardman (+20000), and Moore (OTB)
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