A familiar matchup will take place Sunday in the Meadowlands when the Jets host the Denver Broncos, as it will be the third occasion in the last three years that Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson will be covered by Denver’s top cornerback, Patrick Surtain II.
“He’s a good player, he’s got great feet,” Wilson, the 10th overall pick in 2022, said of the Surtain, the 11th overall pick in 2021.
“He’s a technician, you can tell he grew up with a pops that was getting on him early,” he said, referencing Surtain’s defensive back father who was a three-time Pro Bowler during his 11-year NFL career. “He’s one of the best in the league for a reason.”
When Denver hosted New York last season in Week 5, Wilson was targeted six times with Surtain in coverage and tallied receptions for 22 yards.
But for this Week 4 game, the situation has changed. Swapping Mile High for MetLife, yes, but getting back under center veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who in Surtain’s words has formed a “dynamic connection” with Gang Green’s “great receiver.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Surtain said of the matchup. “Aaron Rodgers is a guy that I’ve always thought about playing. I watched him growing up, seeing him make just amazing throws each and every year. Obviously, he’s a future Hall of Famer, so I’m looking forward to that matchup.”
He added: “We have to game plan for them, and we’re looking forward to competing and being the best defense we can be to eliminate that.”
Rodgers called the cornerback – 16 years his junior – “one of the best players in the league at any position” earlier this week, adding the Broncos’ defense will be “a good test for us.”
And tests are something Wilson, who has drawn an opponent’s top cornerback all year long — including last week against New England’s Christian Gonzalez — is ready for once again.
“I love it, man. I love it,” he said about facing the best. “As long as we don’t crown ‘em before the game and we still take some chances at them, I love it.”
On the year, Surtain has already covered Seattle’s DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh’s George Pickens, and Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans and held that trio to 53 total yards when targeted. However, the corner has been called for six penalties already this year.
Wilson – 150 yards and a touchdown on 15 catches thus far – is hoping to build on that and a Jets offense that has scored 24 points in each of their past two games.
“We’ve been running the ball well and getting the backs going and making plays in the receiver room, just being opportunistic with it. I feel like that’s where we’re improving,” Wilson said. “So knowing that when we’re called upon, we gotta make that play and I feel like that’s when we’ve been at our best.
“We’ve all had our opportunities and just go make it.”
Of course, with NFL teams seemingly playing more two-high safeties this season, there is the chance Surtain isn’t on an island and has help over the top for much of the game.
“Whenever they give that look, it can be frustrating,” Wilson said, adding that creates opportunities for the other side of the field and other receivers. “It’s definitely frustration, I pride myself on making plays… and doing what I do. But if they wanna give me that look, we gotta handle it the best way we can handle it.”
