NFL Draft: Has Zach Wilson entered the conversation for the Jets?

While he might play for a small school, Zach Wilson has entered the chat for the QB2? 

The New York Jets lost when they picked up their first win against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday afternoon.

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence might be the most secure quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. It’s why Jets fans were clamoring for him despite having a serviceable option in Sam Darnold should they land the No.1 pick.

Alas, plans have changed.

Lawrence is destined to go with the first pick no matter who makes the selection. Now the attention turns to what will happen with the  No.2 pick. Ohio State’s Justin Fields makes plenty of sense following his two-year stint and multiple College Football Playoff berths, but the Jets now have the luxury of taking a step back and considering the entire draft board rather than zeroing in on one player.

That step back could shine a light on the perfect quarterback prospect for New York: Zach Wilson from BYU.

Should the New York Jets consider Zach Wilson their new top option?

One game isn’t enough for Wilson to move up the quarterback charts, but it certainly helps. The Cougar caller put on a show in the Boca Raton Bowl Tuesday, going 26-of-34 for 425 yards and five touchdowns, all of which came in the first half.

And no, we’re not talking dump passes, but rather deep downfield dimes.

Wilson is already drawing comparisons as this year’s Joe Burrow, mainly due to his draft stock skyrocketing after an incredible season in college. Ask a scout where his draft stock was at the beginning of the year and they’d probably have to scan their list to find his name.

But by December, he’s entered the first-round conversation.

The stat line speaks for itself. In a shortened COVID season, Wilson threw for 30 touchdowns against a mere three interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, his four total turnovers were the lowest among active starters at the collegiate level.

Despite losing to Coastal Carolina, how much of the blame can be put on him? Wilson threw for over 200 yards and added a touchdown to his resume. The Cougars also were destined for a tough schedule in 2020 before the year decided to take a break from everything.

If PFF has any say, his final grade of 2020 is higher than that of the reigning Heisman and No.1 pick from the Bayou. Plus, his adaptability to move on the run adds an extra element to his overall game under center.

Darnold is far from a bad option, but it feels more and more like his ship has sailed. It also appears as though the Trevor Lawrence train has left the station, but the Jets shouldn’t look at Wilson as merely the next option and should start to evaluate him as a prospect that could be exactly what the next regime needs as far as skill set and timeline.

Wilson is far from complete, but he’s certainly worthy of the hype when the Jets are on the clock.