Many a NFL mock draft has the New York Jets taking a quarterback in the first round, regardless of what slot they're projected to select. Given how they're currently 2-5, with the prospects for the rest of this season not especially bright, conventional wisdom holds that they will be picking somewhere in the top half of the round with their own pick, plus they have the picks that were acquired from the Indianapolis Colts (who are also currently 2-5) and the Dallas Cowboys (who are currently 3-4).
In other words, they have more draft capital to work with than anybody, currently. Also, quarterback isn't their most pressing need right now.
Geno Smith is currently 36 years young, so he will indeed need replacing before too long. However, he's off
to a good start this season, completing 70% of his passes for 1,623 yards, 10 TDs, two interceptions and a passer rating of 105.2
Jets club legend and accomplished NFL pundit Bart Scott believes the Jets should not use a first round pick on a QB. Scott believes they should make a trade for a veteran signal caller, and then look at taking one in the second round instead.
“Next year, I don’t know if they have to get a quarterback in the first round," Scott said in an exclusive with Ratings.
"I think they can get a quarterback in the second round. A target of mine would be Mac Jones. I think Mac Jones, being under Kyle Shanahan, will be the next Sam Darnold.”
It's an intriuging idea when you consider
A. this draft class of QBs isn't what it was initially cracked up to be and
B. Jones could be available at a cheap price.
Jones is in his second season as the San Francisco 49ers’ backup QB, but he had a very solid and promising rookie season with the New England Patriots in 2021.
“We’ll see what happens with Kyler Murray if they decide to sign Kyler Murray (in Minnesota), but in my vision, you sign Mac Jones because of money,” Scott later added, during the same interview.
“So he’s going to come out and not take a lot of money. I think it’ll come out maybe $40 million instead of the $60 or $70 million that top-end guys get."
Scott was a key player on the Jets' last two teams that reached the AFC title game (2009 and 2010). The franchise has struggled to regain relevance since.
However, we must reiterate, this QB class has major question marks. Drew Mestemaker is the true, genuine #1 prospect right now, but unless you're totally sold on him, where would you go?
CJ Carr and Darian Mensah have potential, but are they worth an early first round pick?
Trinidad Chambliss, Arch Manning and Dante Moore could all go high as well, but each have too many question marks to merit a top 15-20 overall selection.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Bart Scott believes NY Jets should draft QB in 2nd round, not 1st
