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Jets work out UCLA’s Brett Hundley, is he the answer in New York?

By Josh Criswell

Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws a pass against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws a pass against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Hundley is one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2015 NFL Draft, and if he falls to the bottom half of the first round, the former UCLA quarterback will be a steal for whatever team selects him.

The New York Jets are looking to add a third quarterback to compete with Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick, and it is quite possible that Brett Hundley will be the top quarterback on their draft board by the time they make their selection with the No. 9 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. I do not envision the former UCLA standout being selected in the top half of the first round, but he is one of the most intriguing prospects of this year’s draft.

After being projected as possibly the first quarterback taken last year, Hundley’s stock has taken a bit of a hit. None of that is his fault, however. The hit to Hundley’s draft stock is largely due to the emergence of Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Marriota, neither of whom are expected to drop past the top three picks.

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That leaves Hundley as a tempting choice for any team in need of a quarterback. While his stock may have dropped off since last season, his play certainly has not. He followed up an impressive 2013 campaign by improving in almost every passing category. Sure, his touchdowns might have fallen off from 24 to 22, and his QB rating did drop by one point. He also threw four less interceptions and improved his completion percentage.

The most impressive stat from his 2014 season, however, is the fact that Hundley never threw more than one pick in any game, something that is sure to impress NFL scouts.

The Jets interest in the athletic 6-foot-3 quarterback should come as no surprise. It has been widely publicized that the Geno Smith experiment has not exactly been a success in New York, and anybody who believes Ryan Fitzpatrick is more than a stop-gap at the position is kidding themselves.

The Jets have made some bold moves this offseason, including bringing back cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie and trading for wide receiver Brandon Marshall. All three are former Pro Bowlers. The Jets signed former Patriots running back Stevan Ridley as well, a 26-year old who, despite a season-ending knee injury, should be a nice addition to the Jets backfield.

That leaves quarterback as the big question mark on the roster. Smith and Fitzpatrick have not done anything to cement their role as the starter, and the Jets would be wise to start looking elsewhere for their quarterback of the future.

Enter Brett Hundley, a speedy quarterback with all of the athletic tools, as well as some of the intangibles, that the team needs desperately from the position.

It may be a risk to take him as high as the No. 9 spot, but it could very well be the risky move necessary to take the Jets to the next level. With Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles looking to find the perfect fit for his spread offense at pick No. 20, do not expect Hundley to remain on the board for very long.

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