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Potential Offseason Additions for New York Jets: Quarterbacks

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By @GregSulik

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Everyone knows that the New York Jets‘ biggest priority this offseason will be finding a franchise quarterback, but that’s much easier said than done. With a thin group of free agents and a questionable draft class, it’s possible the Jets won’t have many great options.

Free Agents

We’ll start with the unimpressive group of free agents, headlined by Brian Hoyer, Mark Sanchez, Colt McCoy, and Jake Locker. Obviously the Jets won’t bring Sanchez back, but none of the other three would inspire any confidence or be much of an improvement over Geno Smith.

The most likely scenario is that the Jets go after Hoyer or someone like Shaun Hill or Matt Moore as a placeholder for a year. Doing so would depend on each quarterback’s willingness to take a short term contract, and the signing of any of those players would likely come with the caveat of an open competition with Smith.

Trades

The trade market has two key options this year, Jay Cutler and Robert Griffin III. No one really knows exactly how available either player is, but Cutler seems more likely. Trading for him would present a massive risk for the Jets, as his enormous contract has cap hits north of $16 million in each of the next six seasons. However, he would be easy to cut following the 2015 season due to low dead money. That being said, the Jets would most likely have to give up at least two second round picks for Cutler, a bold move for a quarterback that hasn’t found any playoff success.

As far as RGIII goes, rumors on his availability largely stem from the perception of his fractured relationship with Jay Gruden. Griffin’s contract only runs through next season, so if the Washington Redskins wanted to move him the Jets would be able to get him for a one year trial run. The trade makes a lot of sense for the Jets if the price is right, but the Redskins will be motivated to ask for a large return to compensate for the treasure trove of picks they originally gave up for Griffin. Such a move is unlikely for now, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Draft

Finally we have the draft, which is obviously headlined by Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. Prevailing wisdom suggests that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select whichever QB they prefer No. 1 overall, leaving the Tennessee Titans to decide if they want the other. The Jets pick No. 6 overall, and they could be done out of both top options quickly.

Mariota is generally regarded as the safer prospect, with excellent intangibles and maturity to go with his football skills. Mariota is a dual threat QB in the mold of Colin Kaepernick, and he has the potential to be a game changer. However, there are serious questions about whether or not he has the accuracy to succeed in the NFL.

Winston is generally considered to have the most arm talent in the draft, and as a football player he is a clear top 10 prospect in spite of his regression this year. On the field, the biggest red flag is his decision making and tendency to force the ball. Off the field, the major questions about his legal issues and maturity will be the biggest story of the draft process.

There is a major drop off to the likes of Brett Hundley and Bryce Petty, who are second round prospects. If the Jets feel strongly about someone like Hundley, they could draft him in the second round and let him sit behind a veteran. However, there is no sense in using a high pick on a player unless you’re completely confident in him, and the team doesn’t want to repeat the mistake they made with Smith.

In short, the odds are not in the Jets’ favor for solving their quarterback problem this offseason. Assuming they don’t land one of the top prospects, the most likely scenario is that the Jets sign a veteran to compete with Smith. That isn’t what fans what to hear, but there aren’t franchise quarterbacks available this year, and forcing an investment in one is a big mistake.

Greg Sulik is a New York Jets writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @GregSulik or add him to your network on Google

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