Jets Country

Jets Predicted To Draft Star Quarterback In Head-Scratching Decision

One NFL projection has the Jets making a very questionable draft day decision.

Zach Pressnell

Sep 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Sep 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
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The New York Jets began their offseason with a bang as they opted to cut 41-year-old star Aaron Rodgers. As free agency began, New York swiftly replaced Rodgers with the much younger Justin Fields. Fields signed with the Jets on a two-year, $40 million deal.

This contract shows the Jets are committed to Fields as their franchise signal caller, but there are still skeptics out there that don't believe he has what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Either way, the NFL Draft is going to be a very important event for the Jets to add some talent around their 26-year-old franchise quarterback.

Christopher Hennessy of ClutchPoints recently ran a Pro Football Network mock draft simulator for the NFL Draft. For the Jets, Hennessy's simulation has them making a head-scratching decision and selecting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round.

"Later in the sixth round, the Jets take a shot at quarterback. They have tried to use the late rounds in the past to find their signal caller to no avail," Hennessy wrote. "Maybe learning behind a fellow Buckeye will help Will Howard become the answer for the Jets at the position. Howard won the National Championship with Ohio State last season but disappointed scouts at the combine. If he learns behind Fields, maybe he can be the answer."

It might not be the worst idea for the Jets to take a quarterback in the draft, especially if somebody talented falls to them very late. But New York has too many holes to fill including tight end, wide receiver, and across the offensive line. And that's just talking about offense.

For this pick to make any sort of sense, the draft pool will need to be completely depleted of talent. If New York lands multiple stars earlier in the draft, selecting Howard here could make sense. But it seems quite unlikely.

More NFL: Jets Predicted To Pair Justin Fields With $14 Million Star Free Agent

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "New York Jets On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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