The New York Jets have a new quarterback and through two picks, there have not been any surprises at the top of the 2021 NFL draft. Zach Wilson is the man.
The Jacksonville Jaguars made the obvious choice by selecting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick. The New York Jets followed by taking BYU signal-caller Zach Wilson with the second overall pick.
This pick has essentially been in the cards since the Jets finally elected to trade incumbent starter Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. New York was very deliberate in assessing the quarterback prospects in this year's class, but it really only took one look at Wilson's pro day tape to confirm he was the guy for the Jets.
Cecil Lammey of DenverFan.com and Footballguys.com reported the Jets previously showed some reservations regarding Wilson's health stemming from the Cougars star's shoulder surgery in February of 2019. But Wilson erased all doubt with a spectacular pro day showing, with one general manager telling NFL Network's Tom Pelissero his workout “may be the best I've ever seen.”
Wilson looked like an entirely different person in 2020. He ranked second in the NCAA in completion percentage (73.5), also ranking third in passing yards (3,692), adjusted passing yards per attempt (12.6) and passing touchdowns (33).
Some evaluators expressed concern to Pelissero regarding Wilson's size and durability going forward. But others indicated his arm talent is too enticing to pass up.
The Jets, much like the Jaguars, have been quite desperate to find a new franchise quarterback. General manager Joe Douglas will hope Wilson's upside translates to success as New York prepares for a new era under center.
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