The Jets signed Mike Williams to a one-year contract yesterday, bringing him in to give the team a far better No. 2 than they had a year ago (when Aaron Rodgers convinced the team to sign Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb). I think it's fair to wonder, though, if Williams is the player he was at his best.

I have the same questions about 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who of course tore his Achilles a few plays into last season. They've upgraded the offensive line and signing Williams makes their weapons in the passing game look a little more promising. But they can't make the quarterback any younger, and it's like people saw Tom Brady winning a Super Bowl in his 40s and thought that wasn't an anomaly.

But whatever, let's say for the sake of discussion that Rodgers can stay healthy. Williams is being described as a downfield weapon, and he certainly has some of that on his resume. But he's coming off a torn ACL and turns 30 during the season, so he might not be quite as imposing in that area as he used to be. Even before blowing out his knee last season, he'd been trending downward.

Back in 2019, in his first full season as a starter, Williams averaged over 20 yards per catch. That's best among all wideouts with at least as many targets (85) in the past five seasons. A 1,000-yard season on just 49 catches -- really remarkable stuff.

In his three other healthy seasons in that time frame, he hasn't been quite as impressive -- and it's been a steady downward trend. About 16 yards per catch in 2020 (still very good), then 15 per catch in 2021, and 14 per catch in 2022. Williams tore his ACL in Week 3 in 2023.

I don't want to overrate this trend, considering 14 yards per catch is still an above-average number. But even if we're assuming Williams is fully healthy in September, I don't think we should be expecting him to be taking the top off defenses every week, either. New York will need much better line play for that to even be in the realm of possibility. New tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses give hope that will be the case, but it's not a given.

Table shows the top performers among 85-target wide receivers the last five seasons in terms of yards per reception.

WIDE RECEIVER YARDS PER RECEPTION, 2019-2023
YearPlayerTgtRecYdsTDAvg
2019Mike Williams, LAC90491001220.4
2019Kenny Golladay, Det.1166511901118.3
2021Deebo Samuel, S.F.1217714051418.2
2023George Pickens, Pitt.106631140518.1
2022Jaylen Waddle, Mia.117751356818.1
2020DJ Moore, Car.118661193418.1
2021JaMarr Chase, Cin.1288114551318.0
2019Stefon Diggs, Min.94631130617.9
2023Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.105751342717.9
2022Gabe Davis, Buff.9348836717.4
2023Amari Cooper, Cle.128721250517.4
2019Mike Evans, T.B.118671157817.3
2022A.J. Brown, Phil.1458814961117.0
2023DK Metcalf, Sea.119661114816.9
2019Michael Gallup, Dall.113661107616.8
2019DeVante Parker, Mia.128721202916.7
2019Chris Conley, Jac.9047775516.5
2020Jerry Jeudy, Den.11352856316.5
2023Nico Collins, Hou.109801297816.2
2021Tyler Lockett, Sea.107731175816.1
2021Van Jefferson, LAR8950802616.0
2020Justin Jefferson, Min.125881400715.9
2023Mike Evans, T.B.1367912551315.9
2019Terry McLaurin, Was.9358919715.8
2023Justin Jefferson, Min.100681074515.8
2020Mike Williams, LAC8548756515.8
2021A.J. Green, Ari.9254848315.7
2020DK Metcalf, Sea.1298313031015.7
2019DK Metcalf, Sea.10058900715.5
2019Chris Godwin, T.B.121861333915.5
2022Terry McLaurin, Was.120771191515.5
2019Courtland Sutton, Den.124721112615.4
2020A.J. Brown, Ten.1067010751215.4
2020Calvin Ridley, Atl.143901374915.3
2022Davante Adams, L.V.18010015161415.2
2020Corey Davis, Ten.9265984515.1
2023Tyreek Hill, Mia.17111917991315.1
2021Mike Williams, LAC129761146915.1
2019Amari Cooper, Dall.119791189815.1
2020Darius Slayton, NYG9650751315.0
2019Robby Anderson, NYJ9652779515.0
2021Justin Jefferson, Min.16710816161015.0
2022Amari Cooper, Cle.132781160914.9
2023Deebo Samuel, S.F.89608921214.9
2019Tyreek Hill, K.C.8958860714.8
2021Tee Higgins, Cin.110741091614.7
2019John Brown, Buff.115721060614.7
2020Tyreek Hill, K.C.1358712761714.7
2022Mike Evans, T.B.127771124614.6
2021Chase Claypool, Pitt.10559860214.6
2022Jerry Jeudy, Den.10067972614.5
2022Chris Olave, N.O.119721042414.5
2020Mike Evans, T.B.1097010061314.4
2022Tyreek Hill, Mia.1701191710914.4
2021DeVonta Smith, Phil.10464916514.3
2020Michael Gallup, Dall.10559843514.3
2023DJ Moore, Chi.136961364914.2
2022Mike Williams, LAC9363895414.2
2020Brandin Cooks, Hou.119811150614.2
2023Puka Nacua, LAR1601051486614.2
2019Jarvis Landry, Cle.138831174614.1
2022Justin Jefferson, Min.1841281809914.1
2022DJ Moore, Car.11863888714.1
2023DeAndre Hopkins, Ten.137751057714.1
2023Jaylen Waddle, Mia.104721014414.1
2019Julio Jones, Atl.157991394614.1
2020Chase Claypool, Pitt.109628731114.1
2023Diontae Johnson, Pitt.8751717514.1

--Andy Richardson