5 NFL teams that should draft Lamar Jackson in 2018

3. New York Jets

Like the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets have had quarterback problems for years. They had a consistent starter in Chad Pennington for a number of seasons, but once he left, it became a bit of a carousel. Brett Favre played one year and left. Mark Sanchez flopped. Geno Smith has been inconsistent and hurt. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a successful 2015 season but reverted to his career norms in 2016.

Now, the Jets have quarterbacks Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, both of whom are perceived as projects. They’re far from the future of the team, so if the signal caller situation is still in flux by 2018, then the Jets may be drafting yet another one.

Given how Gang Green’s performance has spiraled down from 2015, there’s a decent chance they could be the same or worse in 2017. That could mean they receive a high enough draft spot to select Lamar Jackson. He would be yet another quarterback that the Jets hope to develop into their future guy, which might rub the fanbase the wrong way. However, Jackson has the potential to be special, and unlike anyone the team has had at the quarterback position. His electric ability with his legs is something few others can do at this primary position. It would make him a star at MetLife Stadium as he’d often grab the headlines of all the local papers.

However, since the Jets are probably going to have a top ten pick in the 2017 draft, they may opt to select a quarterback. That would probably take them out of the Lamar Jackson equation and make them focus on other positions. Petty or Hackenberg could end up becoming the future quarterback as well since they’re both early in their respective careers. Neither of these is a guarantee, but it makes the Jets’ odds of taking Jackson somewhat low.