Jets Draft: The Quarterback Carousel

With the 2018 NFL Draft approaching and having a stacked quarterback selection, it’s time to break down the choices the Jets have. The Jets have been quite shy in regards to finding someone and sticking them in that void of a QB position as of late. However, at some point, someone will have to plug up that void. With the Jets trading away the majority of their early round picks to the Colts to move up to No. 3, Gang Green likely has someone in mind. The overarching dilemma is that in this draft there are quite a few quarterbacks, and a lot of needy teams who could possibly draft them.

So what do the Jets do?

Well, since re-signing Josh McCown, adding Teddy Bridgewater to the depth chart and moving up in the draft, it’s safe to say Petty and/or Hackenberg’s days of being a Jet are over.  Some are sad of young Hack and some are glad, but the majority of the JetsNation should be happy that Petty will be out the door.

The next likely young quarterback for the Jets will be one of these guys: Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Allen (Wyoming), or Josh Rosen (UCLA).

Baker Mayfield

The Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner is looking red hot ever since the college football playoffs. Ultimately, he has gotten even hotter since the offseason.

Many teams want him and need him. His arm strength can help stretch the field and keep the ball moving.  At Oklahoma, he passed for more than 14,000 yards in his four years there with 4,600+ in his final year.  But, he is a dual threat like Russell Wilson where he can leg-it and take off if there is a play to be made by rushing. Yet, he is not like Cam Newton where he will run it himself and risk injury. All of this gold does have flaws, however. Mayfield’s footwork makes his throws a little unpredictable and his downfield reading needs to be addressed.

Jets GM Mike Maccagnan watching Baker Mayfield warm up before his throwing session. pic.twitter.com/vkZwOLR68N

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 14, 2018

Sam Darnold

The USC product has been in the spotlight ever since a lot of Jets fans started the “Suck for Sam” slogan at the beginning of the 2017 season.

Darnold has been put in a unique position that will dictate the draft.  With the number one overall pick, there’s a chance the Browns pick RB Saquon Barkley and put Darnold in the running for Gang Green. He would fit in nicely with the West Coast Scheme that new OC Jeremy Bates is going to implement. But since the Browns picked up Carlos Hyde, things could change.  At any rate, the USC product could be the next new gunslinger to help a QB stricken team to a victory with his fast release and incredible accuracy.

Josh Rosen

The UCLA quarterback made noise in the combine posting the fastest 20-yard shuttle run for QBs.  Along with his 6ft-5in size frame, he could be a force to be reckoned with. Having extremely accurate aim and power to back it up, he can move the ball.

He too struggles with field read, and not much stronger than the average quarterback. He also tends to push the ball where it doesn’t need to go.  While many of these problems can be fixed and adjusted, his biggest concern is injuries. However, in the right system, Rosen could be the next Aaron Rodgers.

Jets’ GM Mike Maccagnan has attended pro days of Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and UCLA's Josh Rosen. He's also planning to attend pro days of Wyoming's Josh Allen and USC's Sam Darnold. One of those QBs will be a Jet.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2018

Josh Allen

Allen is a wild card in the sense that he can move the ball and keep the play alive but at the same time, he hasn’t had an accuracy above 60 percent. This shouldn’t necessarily be a problem since he could have a top 20 running back that he can use at will, but most teams want their gunslingers to be accurate. His rating is also due to the number of drops his wide receivers have had, thus his accuracy was diminished when he was forced to be mobile.

However, Allen has the strength to sling the ball downfield or through the middle of defenders to keep the play alive.  Allen is one quarterback, no matter the team, that needs to be watched closely.

– Alessandro Senatore is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @AMS1928 Follow @FPC_Jets