The New York Jets didn’t have to wait for last season to conclude before realizing they were in desperate need of a new quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bryce Petty, and Geno Smith took turns letting the Jets’ fanbase down with their weekly show of mediocrity under center. On the flip side, the Houston Texans took care of its issue.
But the Jets didn’t address that need in the 2017 NFL Draft as they instead selected safety Jamal Adams No. 6 overall. It’s not a bad move on the part of the Jets. Adams is turning out just fine for New York’s defense and has the look of a future Pro Bowler.
But what if the Jets opted to use that pick in selecting Deshaun Watson instead?
In a story published by Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, it was reported that some in the Jets’ camp were entertaining the idea of the team trading up in order to get another crack at drafting Deshaun Watson in the first round. Some even suggested shipping a package of the 2018 first-round pick and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson to a willing taker, per Mehta.
What kind of package could the Jets have offered? My understanding is that there were folks on One Jets Drive willing to trade a 2018 first-round pick and Muhammad Wilkerson to move back into the first round to get Watson. They were amenable to trading other (lesser) picks and/or players if need be to close the deal.
Of course, that didn’t happen and the Houston Texans were the ones to take the former Clemson Tiger signal-caller with the 12th pick overall.
Not that the Jets are not liking what they’re seeing from Adams, but it must be painful for them to see Deshaun Watson rapidly become a franchise quarterback for the Texans. In his first eight weeks as a pro, Watson already has amassed 1,699 passing yards, 269 rushing yards, and 21 total touchdowns — tops in the NFL.
As for the Jets, they are settling with Josh McCown, whom they signed to a one-year contract last March, meaning their search for a long-term answer under center will continue again in the next offseason.
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