Making My Case: If the Jets Pick a Developmental QB

 

Dillon Gabriel (8); Quinn Ewers (3).

This is sort of a Part Two of my Jets wish list that I wrote two weeks ago. I saw a post recently on the Jets website that made a case for who New York could select as a developmental quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft. Some see them drafting one later, a few see them drafting one early.

With the acquisition of Justin Fields, and (head coach) Aaron Glenn seemingly committed to making him the starter, I don't see them drafting one early, if they draft one at all, but you never know.

If they're going to pick a developmental prospect, and he's available--which it looks he could be available in the fourth round at the earliest--Dillon Gabriel from Oregon would be my pick. 

I think he's the most underrated quarterback in this draft. As I mentioned last week regarding Dillon, because of the way he plays--the smarts, accuracy, pocket presence, and mobility--he could fit in nearly any offense.

Another quarterback I think has been forgotten about, honestly, I forgot he was in the draft myself until I heard his name mentioned recently, is Quinn Ewers from Texas.

He has good pocket presence, fairly accurate, resilient, he doesn't get easily discouraged or rattled, and can make most throws. He has enough mobility to make plays with his feet.

Quinn has a stronger arm; Dillon is more accurate and mobile. I wouldn't mind the Jets getting either one of them to draft and develop, but again, if they're going to do that, my hope is that it's Dillon.

Some also predicted the Jets to get Jalen Milroe from Alabama, but, to me, they already have that currently in Justin Fields. I think their games are similar.

He's by far the most mobile and has the strongest arm--he has a pretty deep ball--of the three, and there's some talent there, but he's raw, and he needs more time to develop versus the previously mentioned.

I can see the temptation to draft him because of his rocket arm and athletic ability, but this is how some teams get caught up because they put too much focus on measurables instead of looking at the whole body of work.

Overall, I think these three are the best available at the position after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, and can thrive in the right system, and if given a chance.

Fields of Dreams: Can Justin Fields Become the Jets Franchise Quarterback?

 

Photo Credit: foxsports.com.

The quarterback pool in this year's free agent class wasn't that deep, to me. It's saying something when Sam Darnold, who's coming off a breakout season in Minnesota, but has had an up-and-down career prior to that, was considered the best QB available. Then there was Justin Fields, who was considered the next best thing.

As free agency drew closer, Fields' name became linked with the Jets more and more. I was a little skeptical at first, but then it came to me that Fields is talented and loaded with potential, it just hasn't fully materialized, yet. He said it himself that he has untapped potential, which I think is a perfect way to describe it. Now that he's a Jet, it will be interesting to see how the coaches help him realize that potential.

From his time with the Chicago Bears, he has shown flashes of what he's capable of, but it has been hindered by inconsistency, particularly from the pocket. His pocket game looked better in Pittsburgh-- and he had a winning record before Russell Wilson took over-- but I still saw where he relied more on his feet.

I get it; he's a dual-threat quarterback, so I don't expect him to be Joe Montana from the pocket, that's not his game, but I would like to see him go through his progressions and make the right reads/decisions more often. I'm not saying take away his running ability completely-- it's an extra weapon-- just don't over rely on it. What I would like to see is a balance.

I've been saying the last few years that I prefer a young veteran over a rookie--unless I think that rookie is a once-in-a-lifetime talent-- that you can build around. Justin checks one box as far as being a young veteran, building around him is to be determined.

I know some will look at me sideways for saying this because he just won a Super Bowl, but he reminds me of a poor man's Jalen Hurts. Jalen was the same way when he first came into the league: he showed flashes of what he was capable of, but he was hot and cold, hit-or-miss. Jalen is starting to come around, and I still don't think he has reached his full potential, but I digress.

I think Justin is capable of being a franchise guy if he puts it all together. If or when that happens, then they can build around him.

A Blast from the Past: The NY Jets Hire Aaron Glenn as Head Coach

Photo Credit: nflalumni.org.

No, I’m not late to the party. I’m well aware of the New York Jets hiring of Aaron Glenn as head coach in January, I’m just getting around to giving my usual take when they make significant moves such as this.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Aaron Glenn when he became a strong candidate for the Jets head coaching job, seeing the colossal failures with the last two coaches (Adam Gase and Robert Saleh), who were first-time head coaches when they were hired, as Glenn is now.

Now, I loved him as a player. Til this day I think he’s one of the most underrated corners to step on the field. That was as a player, becoming a head coach is a different story.

Initially, I was hoping for either Rex Ryan or Pete Carroll, two guys who also have history with the Jets, being that they were the head coach in previous years, but when Aaron was hired, I thought, “The hire has been made, let’s give him a chance and see what happens,” the same benefit of the doubt that I gave the last two coaches.

The more I learned about Glenn as a coach and after his playing career was over, the more I liked the idea of the hire. For instance, until a few months ago, I had no idea he came back to New York as a scout (2012–13), which tells me he has experience in player evaluation.

During his last days in Detroit, he mentioned in a press conference that he has studied all sides of the ball, not just defense. He described himself as a coach who happens to be on defense. This tells me he’s knowledgeable, well-versed, and has a willingness to learn.

While there’s a lot of talent on the team, the dysfunction, particularly in leadership, is holding them back, and I hope Aaron can turn things around as soon as possible — I know he’s committed to doing so.

As successful as he was with the Jets as a player back in the day, I hope he’s more successful as a head coach.

The NY Jets Fire Robert Saleh: My Thoughts

 

Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports.

The New York Jets fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start and a 20-36 record in three and a half seasons.

Prior to be hired by the Jets in 2021, he was viewed as a coveted coaching candidate, seeing the job he did with 49ers defense when he was defensive coordinator there, and the way players, current and former, spoke highly of him.

The thing is, coaching one side of the ball is one thing, coaching an entire football team is a totally different story.

Personally, I think he should've been fired after last season. During his tenure, you could see that he was in over his head--I noticed it after his second season. By the start of this season, I completely lost confidence in him.

I'm a proponent for giving people a chance, and I was hoping to see improvement--just like players can grow and develop, so can coaches--but I saw no signs of improvement. Now, I'm not celebratory of the man losing his job, but he had to go.

The team looked like it was headed toward the same crash course as in previous years, and I watched time and time and time again where he failed to make adjustments.

Who's in line to take the interim job? My thinking is (offensive coordinator) Nathaniel Hackett--who hasn't been any better--since he and Aaron Rodgers seem to be buddy-buddy, but we'll see.

As for Saleh, from went I've seen so far, he's a very good defensive coordinator who I wouldn't mind coaching my defense, but not my team.

Taking Flight, Part Two: Grading the Rest of the NY Jets Draft Picks

  

Malachi Corley. Photo Credit: James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

Blogger's Note: Normally, I have my Jets draft analysis done no more than a day after the draft, but life gets in the way sometimes, and I wanted to finish what I started as I do every year, so here I am with my analysis and grades for the Jets Day Two picks and their draft overall.

Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky 

They didn't have a second round pick due to the trade with the Packers last year to get Aaron Rodgers, so their first pick of Day Two was Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky.

Even with the signing of Mike Williams, I thought the Jets still needed to address this position. He has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel, and from what I've seen, I can see why.

He's around the same size, not the fastest player, but he knows how to get open, and he has the same running back mentality after the catch.

He wasn't as popular as some of the receivers picked before him, but I think the Jets got a steal with this pick. I think he will productive from Day One.

Grade: A

Photo Credit: Joe Fisher/Getty Images.

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin 

Listed at 6-1, 235 pounds, Braelon is a monster of a running back who punishes defenses with his size and power, but the scary part is he's more nimble than he looks. He wasn't used in the receiving game that much, but he did have a career high 28 catches in his final year at Wisconsin.

I like the talent of the prospect, particularly the idea of him and Breece Hall mauling defenses for years to come, but this and the draft pick after next makes me wonder where they stand with Izzy Abandikanda.

Grade: A-

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports.

Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State 

The first of the Jets three fifth round picks, Jordan was my favorite pick of their draft. He was who I wanted as an heir apparent to lead the Jets into the future.

He has a smooth, effortless way he plays; he has poise, he's accurate, he can beat you from the pocket as well as with his legs. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he can make the throws that are needed.

I think he would've been at least a third round pick if it wasn't for his injury. I think he's in a perfect situation: he gets to sit behind Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor for a year or so, which gives him time to learn and develop, and recover from his injury.

Grade: A+

Photo Credit: Chris Leduc/Icon Sports wire via Getty Images.

A big, physical, punishing running back like Braelon Allen, although still not as big as Allen, I found this pick to be a head-scratcher.

I like the talent--from what I've seen, he reminds me of Jordan Howard, but a little more shifty--but I don't like the pick. In other words, they could've addressed another need with that pick.

Grade: C

Dan Hamilton/USA Today Sports.

Qwan'tez Stiggers, CB, CFL

Qwan'tez is an inspiring story of a player who didn't play college football, choosing instead to play in the CFL, and was drafted.

From what I've seen of him, he seems to excel in zone coverage, particularly deep zone coverage, which makes him good fit for Robert Saleh's Cover 3 defense.

The defensive backfield is deep, but in one sense, you can never have enough defensive backs with most of the league being pass-happy.

Grade: B

Jaylen Key, Safety, Alabama 

This year's Mr. Irrelevant, Jaylen was the Jets last pick of the draft as well as the very last pick of this year's draft.

From what I've gathered, he seems to be a player who is at his best moving laterally, and doesn't have much range moving sideline to sideline.

With some uncertainty at the safety position, he has a chance to make the roster or if nothing else be a contributor on special teams.

Grade: C+

Overall, I think the Jets first two picks weren't "popular" picks, but were smart picks. I view Olu Fashanu as a draft-and-stash, who will learn the ropes from All-Pro Tyron Smith, with the upside to play right away in case of an injury.

Malachi Corley can contribute right away and help make the passing attack formidable. My favorite pick was Jordan Travis. I think he has a high ceiling, and as I mentioned before, he's in a perfect situation and he doesn't have to be rushed out there.

I understand the Braelon Allen pick to a degree, with the jury being out on Izzy Abandikanda due to him being injured most of last season, but drafting Davis makes me wonder where they stand with him.

Stiggers and Key could be special teams contributors, but it's possible one or both could see time on the field with a mostly pass-happy league.

I was okay with this draft; Fashanu, Corley, Allen, and Travis stood out to me, but it would've been better if they, for example, picked a linebacker or maybe another offensive lineman instead of a second running back.

Overall Grade: B

Gotham Green Giant: The NY Jets Draft Olu Fashanu

 

Olu Fashanu. Photo Credit: nj.com.

After trading back a spot with the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Jets selected offensive tackle Olu Fashanu from Penn State with the 11th overall pick.

Considered to be one of the top prospects at his position and in the draft, this looks like a draft-and-stash move. With the acquisition of All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith slated to play on the left, however, he's 33 and he hasn't played a full season since 2016--hopefully that won't be the case this year--so I look at drafting Olu as a contingency plan, and preparing for the future with a potential All-Pro prospect who can learn under Smith in the process, which something that he's looking forward to, being that Smith is someone he has studied.

Photo Credit: Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

From what I've seen of Olu's tape, he was exceptional in pass protection. He only allowed one sack his entire career at Penn State. Once he gets his hands on you, it's over. It was stated during the draft that his run blocking needs work, but from what I saw, I didn't see where his run blocking was an issue. 

I did see some plays where he was a little too high in his stance, and his footwork, although it wasn't bad, it could use some more polishing, but that can be easily coached.

Overall, I can see why he was considered one of the top prospects, and with some coaching, he will be primed to protect A-Rod and the future quarterback's blindside for years to come. This pick was a representation of most of the Jets draft: it wasn't the "popular" pick, but it was a smart pick.

Grade: A

The Talented Mr. Wilson

 

Garrett Wilson. Photo Credit: sports.yahoo.com.

Before I begin, learn how to play quarterback the "Nittany Lion Way" with Penn State head coach James Franklin himself. Learn how to play the quarterback position and get insight on what he looks for in a quarterback. You can purchase his tutorial here.

Since being selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the New York Jets, Garrett Wilson has played up to expectations--perhaps exceeded them.

I remember an analyst compared to him Hall of Famer Lynn Swann after he was picked, but he reminds me more of (2024 Hall of Fame finalist) Torry Holt.

They're around the same size, but where he reminds me of Torry in particular is the way he consistently uses his hands to catch passes, even in traffic. He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving his rookie season, and has done it again this season. He has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving two years in a row with garbage quarterback play.

Last year, he had Zach Wilson and Joe Flacco--who looked like he needed to retire in New York, but has somehow found the fountain of youth in Cleveland--at quarterback. This year, he had (sigh) Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian at quarterback.

I'm not saying he's on the level of a Davante Adams or Justin Jefferson as of yet, but what he has been able to accomplish so far speaks volumes of his talent level.