Ranking Josh Allen among the QBs of the AFC before 2022 NFL Draft

14. Zach Wilson (New York Jets)

One of the most polarizing players in last season’s draft process and throughout the 2021 season, Wilson had a mixed bag as a rookie. The BYU product was downright awful in his first seven starts — five total TDs (4 passing, 1 rushing), 10 INTs, 57.6% completion rate, and a 62.9 passer rating.

But he had an uptick after missing a month due to a knee injury. Wilson put up much better stats in his final six outings — eight total scores (5 passing, 3 rushing), two combined turnovers (1 INT, 1 fumble), and a much improved 77.5 passer rating.

Those numbers are mixed in with a tough showing in Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, who would have been difficult to shine against as a rookie QB as they had the league’s top-ranked defense.

While his 6.8% drop rate from his receivers ranked fourth highest in the league, Wilson did have issues in other areas. He ranked the worst in the NFL in both poor throws rate (23.8%) and percentage of on-target throws (69.9%).

Context matters, though. In addition to some of those ugly figures, Wilson was also pressured at the highest rate of any QB in the league last season (30.6%). And even with only playing 13 games, Wilson was sacked 44 times, third-most in the NFL. Ironically, all that extra pressure allowed Wilson to show off his legs, as his 10.5 yards per scramble average tied with Ryan Tannehill for tops in the league.

So Wilson will be happy to see Mekhi Becton return up front after missing all but one game last season, as well as year two of Alijah Vera-Tucker, and the addition of former Pro Bowler Laken Tomlinson. Wilson will also have a strong duo of tight ends with C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin, as both guys came over in free agency.

NYJ fans have to be wondering how year two pans out for Wilson. And as long as he can play the way he did down the stretch last season, he may be heading in the right direction.