2018 NFL Draft: Biggest need for each team
By Conor Dorney
New York jets: Quarterback
Just like their crosstown counterparts, the New York Giants, the Jets are firmly in the market for their next franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for them, they’ll be at the mercy of the two quarterback-needy teams in front of them to determine just who they end up with.
The Jets have been one of the more aggressive teams since the start of free agency, particularly on defense, landing cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson and Morris Claiborne, as well as linebacker Avery Williamson. With their defense primarily set heading into 2018, the Jets will need to focus on the offense come draft day.
General manager Mike Maccagnan secured his club a better spot to take the quarterback they want by moving up into the Colts’ third-overall selection, but it came at a high price. The team could find themselves with the leftovers of the top two quarterbacks selected by the Browns and Giants, but Maccagnan clearly feels comfortable with their position more than their previous spot at six.
The Jets have established two bridge quarterbacks in Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown, leaving room for whatever quarterback they bring in to develop at a reasonable pace. They have been strongly linked to Wyoming’s Josh Allen, who likely needs the most development of any quarterback that will be taken in the first round. Allen has perhaps the highest ceiling and the lowest floor of any quarterback in this class, and it will be a gamble for the Jets if they end up taking him with their first pick.