Jets QB Situation Remains Unsettled After Draft

Christian Hackenberg, No. 14 (Photo by Catalina Fragoso – Double G Media)

Overall, I think this was a solid draft for the New York Jets. They were able to fill the positions that they needed to, especially on the defensive side of the ball as they drafted two linebackers and one corner. The Jets now have some depth at the linebacker position after some offseason losses like DeMario Davis. It was also nice that they added a young corner to the roster because the others are Darrelle Revis, who turns 31 soon, Antonio Cromarti, who hasn’t been what the Jets had hoped, and Dee Milliner, who can’t stay on the field because of his injuries.

I also like the fact that the Jets drafted Loc Edwards, a punter from Sam Houston State. Last season really showed how weak their special teams unit was, especially after the loss of Nick Folk. Edwards should at least give the special teams unit some depth.

Now, I will address the big two picks in Darron Lee, the 20^th overall selection from Ohio State, and Christian Hackenberg, 51^st overall selection from Penn State. If the Jets re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, then I like these picks. However, if they do not re-sign Fitzpatrick, then I do not like these picks.

After the selection was made, Todd Bowles mentioned that Lee will be playing in the nickel to start. So in other words, Lee will not be starting right away. I do like his potential and he gets the defense younger and faster.

In drafting Lee, the Jets passed on Paxton Lynch, one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft. All along, I felt that the Jets should have taken Lynch if he was still available at the 20^th pick. The best part of Lynch, is that he would have been able to start right away. But now that they passed him and drafted Hackenberg in the second round, the Jets essentially have three backup quarterbacks and no starter.

After the Jets passed on Lynch, the Denver Broncos traded up to draft him with the 26^th overall pick. Now that Denver has their quarterback, the Jets are really the only team left for Fitzpatrick to go to. Despite Fitzpatrick recently saying that he would rather not play football than play for the Jets current offer, I think the team will realize that they do not have any other options and eventually re-sign Fitzpatrick.

The Jets are a “win now” team and as of right now, they do not have a quarterback to lead them to the playoffs. Their schedule may be difficult, but they have the pieces to be successful. They are not going anywhere until they figure out who will be under center in Week 1. If the two sides come to terms and they do resign Fitzpatrick, then the Jets can be just as good as they were last year.