Can Zach Wilson Save The Jets From Divisional Failure?

• The New York Jets drafted Zach Wilson with the second pick in the draft.
• The Jets have -475 odds to finish last in the AFC East.
• Wilson has standard odds to have over 21.5 touchdowns on the year.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Zach Wilson, selected with the second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, is the latest in a long line of young quarterbacks tipped to be the savior of the New York Jets.

Hopes for Wilson are high - his prop betting odds reflect the profile of a decent NFL starter in his rookie year. Hopes for the Jets, on the other hand, are not very high, with most online sportsbooks heavily favoring them to be the worst team in their division.

Team To Finish 4th In AFC East

• Buffalo Bills +4000
• Miami Dolphins +650
• New England Patriots +600
• New York Jets -475

With the Jets seemingly consigned to another year in the doldrums, a development year for Wilson could be in the cards.

Still, a good performance from Wilson could change how everyone thinks about the Jets - they’ve been without competent QB play for so long that the rest of their roster might have become a little underrated.

Zach Wilson 2021 Touchdowns O/U

• Over 21.5 (-115)
• Under 21.5 (-115)

Hitting the over on this prop would put Wilson on the low end of starters in the NFL - but still clearly in the starter category.

In 2020, Jared Goff threw for 20 touchdowns, for example, while 39-year-old Phillip Rivers threw for 24.

Wilson putting up 22 touchdowns in his rookie season would be a solid performance, and more than anyone Jets QB has thrown in recent years. Helping Wilson reach these numbers is the addition of an extra game to the NFL season, which should allow him more chances at touchdowns.

Zach Wilson 2021 Yards O/U

• Over 3800.5 (-115)
• Under 3800.5 (-115)

As far as yards go, the expectations are high for Wilson, although NFL betting fans must once again remember that there is an extra game in 2021.

In 2020, 3800 yards would have put Wilson in the Ben Roethlisberger/Ryan Tannehill category - solidly in the realm of decent quarterbacking. However, with that extra game taken into account, 3800 yards is a 223.52 yards per game average.

This would put Wilson in the range of Baker Mayfield, Drew Lock and Carson Wentz.

Put together, it seems as though the expectations for Wilson in his rookie year look like putting up about 220 yards per game with 1.25 touchdowns per game.

While that does not seem like the kind of QB performance that can save the Jets from finishing last in the division, it could portend good things for their future.