The New York Jets drafted Christian Hackenberg in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, leaving many (including WR Eric Decker) confused.
Ryan Fitzpatrick helped lead the New York Jets to an impressive 10-6 record last season. It was not good enough to get them in to the playoffs, but Fitzpatrick gave the Jets a stabilizing force at the quarterback position that they have been missing. Fitzpatrick hit free agency this off season, and while him going back to the Jets seemed like a near-certainty, he remains a free agent late in to the off season.
The Jets and Fitzpatrick have struggled to come to a deal, so the Jets have to at least consider other options. Part of those other options was choosing quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the second-round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Hackenberg now joins Geno Smith and Bryce Petty as the only quarterbacks on the Jets’ roster. Hackenberg was once considered a top NFL quarterback prospect, but he struggled mightily his last two years in college. The Jets taking him in the second-round was considered by most to be a massive reach. It appears you can add Jets wide receiver Eric Decker to that list.
Decker, along with Brandon Marshall, helps form one of the best wide receiver duos in the entire NFL. He has been a huge advocate for the Jets bringing Fitzpatrick back, and did not seem too excited when asked about the Hackenberg pick.
"“I was a little surprised, to be honest with you,” Decker said in reference to the Hackenberg pick, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. I guess they wanted him earlier than later.”"
Decker is not the only one surprised by the Hackenberg selection. After a mediocre at best college career, the Jets taking Hackenberg in the second round seems absolutely foolish. They have been ridiculed for the selection by many, and it appears that his own teammates did not even like it.
If the Jets do not bring Fitzpatrick back, and go with some sort of combination of Smith, Hackenberg and Petty at quarterback, they are in trouble. Fitzpatrick was a major reason for their successful season in 2015. Not having him back will hurt their chances dramatically in 2016, and Eric Decker knows it.