Three years after drafting Sam Darnold with the third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Jets are apparently in the market for a quarterback.
In 2021, the Jets have the second overall pick and are evaluating which quarterback would be the best for them.
Robert Saleh is ushering in a new era for the Jets; the former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator was named the Jets new coach in January.
Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields’ names have been circulating, but the Jets are reportedly honing in on Brigham Young University star Zach Wilson.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN confirmed this on SportsCenter in late February.
“They’re going to comb through all the draft picks. I know the BYU player is someone the Jets are intrigued by. They like his game. They believe he can really spin it.”
.@AlbertBreer backing what I reported days ago. Zach Wilson is probably a Jet. pic.twitter.com/Nqqs0erT7r
— Michael Marino (@MichaelMarino37) March 24, 2021
Is Zach Wilson the right choice for the Jets?
Yes, he is.
Who Is Zach Wilson?
Zach Wilson adjusted completion % by depth of target:
20+ yards: 67.9% (1st)
10-19: 72.0% (4th)
1-9: 88.2% (5th) pic.twitter.com/ENdHgzvqTk— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 18, 2021
Wilson is a junior.
He has played in 30 games with BYU.
In those 30 games, he has thrown for 7,652 yards and 56 touchdowns while tossing only 15 interceptions.
Wilson can get it done with his legs also.
He rushed for 642 yards and 15 touchdowns; 10 of those rushing touchdowns happened in 2020.
An unnamed NFL executive said this about Wilson.
“I’m really liking the BYU kid. This quarterback [class] is so overrated, but I think [Wilson is] going to end up being one of the good ones out of this draft.”
Will He Fit With The Jets?
To be fair, no one knows how a first-round draft pick quarterback will fare in the NFL.
We have seen recent examples of teams ditching their former first-rounders just a few short years after drafting them.
Carson Wentz, Mitch Trubisky, and Jared Goff all have had highs and lows in their NFL performances.
As for Wilson and the Jets, he needs help.
The young quarterbacks who fare the best have a solid offensive line, a running game, and some deep threat wide receivers to help them become successful in the NFL.
Honestly, the Jets did not give Sam Darnold any of that support.
Will they give it to Wilson?
What About Sam Darnold?
No one really knows what the Jets are going to do about Darnold.
It is still possible that the Robert Saleh coaching staff will keep him.
They also may draft Zach Wilson.
Or they could be in the chase for Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.
There was a rumor that Pete Carroll had interest in Sam Darnold.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has a high opinion of Sam Darnold and could end up trading for the Jets quarterback if Seattle deals Russell Wilson, a league source told @NYDNSports today.
“Keep an eye on Seattle for Darnold,” the source said.
Story:https://t.co/iU78IpMASV
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 15, 2021
The NFL quarterback carousel is impossible to predict in 2021.
If it comes down to money, drafting Wilson and signing him to a rookie contract is cheaper and essentially serves as a fresh start for the coaching staff and franchise.
The NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 29 so we only have about five weeks to continue speculating on what the New York Jets will do about their quarterback situation.
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