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Mike Williams vs. Tyler Boyd: Do Jets Have Backup Plan?

Originally posted on FanNation Jets Country
By Ralph Ventre | Last updated 3/17/24

The Mike Williams buzz is growing louder and understandably so.

The New York Jets' receiving corps lacks proven firepower outside of WR1 Garrett Wilson and the former Los Angeles Chargers' WR2 is arguably the most-intriguing option remaining on a thinning free agent market. There are reports that Williams, who was released by the Chargers last week, will make official free-agent visits to the Jets and the Carolina Panthers in the coming days.

The Jets are apparently ready to make a full court press for Williams, but it shouldn't preclude them from considering Cincinnati Bengals' free agent Tyler Boyd as an additional option.

Boyd has one more NFL season under his belt than Williams, but the two men have followed similar career trajectories. While Boyd, a 2016 second-round draft pick, has competed only for the Cincinnati Bengals, Williams had remained with the Chargers since they selected him No. 7 overall in 2017.

Both men have two 1,000-yard receiving seasons apiece on their resumes as well as exactly 31 career touchdown receptions.

While Williams has been more apt to the big play as evidenced by his 15.6 career yards per reception average, Boyd has shown top-level consistency with a 68.1 percent catch rate.

The 29-year-old Boyd, who has 6,000 career receiving yards, has an edge over Williams when it comes to availability. He has played at least 15 games in six of eight pro seasons, totaling 120 appearances. Williams, who is also 29 years old, has recorded 4,806 receiving yards over 88 career regular season appearances. Coming off an ACL tear, he has been available for only 16 of the last 34 games.

Having rebuilt the offensive line, Jets' general manager Joe Douglas will presumably turn his attention to adding weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Williams and Boyd are arguably the best available options.

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