In
determining the teams for the NFL’s first Black Friday game, league decision
makers were likely envisioning a pivotal AFC East clash involving premier
quarterbacks. But the Jets lost expected franchise savior Aaron Rodgers to a
torn Achilles on his fourth snap, and former second overall pick Zach Wilson has
now been benched. As journeyman Tim Boyle steps under center and prepares to duel
with the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, his primary target gets our support for top prop:
The
bet: Over 4½ receptions for Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (FanDuel)
Like yesterday’s
winner, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wilson was drafted in the first round after
excelling at Ohio State. He went on to post more than 1,100 receiving yards and
earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors despite inconsistency at quarterback.
Wilson
is already playing with his sixth different signal-caller in New York. When Boyle
started two games for the Lions late in the 2021 season, it’s notable that he
peppered Amon-Ra St. Brown with 11 targets each time. The featured receiver
finished with catch totals of nine and eight, averaging more than 100 yards and
scoring three touchdowns.
A
similar aerial approach could be seen today. The last time the Jets faced the
Dolphins was in the 2022 season finale, and Joe Flacco — a new member of the
Browns practice squad — threw just 33 passes. But a whopping 17 of them went to
Wilson, who made nine receptions for 89 yards.
Although
he’s unlikely to see that kind of volume in this game, Wilson can surely will
his way to five catches.