NY Jets: Team should be all in for Colin Kaepernick

After the NY Jets signed Matt Forte and Khiry Robinson and re-signing Bilal Powell, they should do whatever it takes to acquire quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Things never seem to get any easier for the Jets at the quarterback position. After posting 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2010 led by journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Gang Green is once again mulling over its options for the future, as they should.

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However, the Jets could make a big move and solidify the position by dealing for Kaepernick, who supposedly expressed interest in becoming a Jet earlier this offseason. It’s no secret that since Jim Harbaugh was chased out of San Francisco that the veteran quarterback hasn’t seen the success 49er fans and Kaepernick himself hoped for after he led them to a Super Bowl appearance.

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) scrambles with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) chases during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Last season can almost be thrown away because San Francisco was led by a team of unproven head coaches, especially head coach Jim Tomsula and offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, both of whom are no longer in the Bay.

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Kaepernick, arguably, throws the ball harder than any other quarterback in the NFL and has more than twice as many touchdowns (56) as he does interceptions (26) in his career.

Perhaps even more enticing is the opportunity for the Jets to get a mobile quarterback.

He has rushed for more than 500 yards in both of his full seasons with the Niners. Fitzpatrick has some success in the ground game himself, but Kaepernick would be a little more electrifying in terms of a rushing quarterback.

Furthermore, at 28-years-old, the Jets could be set at the quarterback position for the next half decade, at least. Brandon Marshall may not be around in 2021, but think of the Jets’ offense with Kaepernick, Forte Marshall and Eric Decker for the next two seasons. Throw a stout offensive line in there and the Jets could be playoff contenders year in and year out.

Trading for the Nevada graduate might be a gamble. Likely, it’ll cost the Jets a second-round pick in this year’s draft, which is cheap considering the upside of Kaepernick.

After acquiring Forte, Robinson and re-signing Powell, it no longer seems fitting for the Jets to draft Ohio State prospect Ezekiel Elliott in the first round, which means the Jets can turn their attention to a strong pass rush option in Georgia’s Leonard Floyd or Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence.

After a pass rusher, the Jets most glaring needs would be at tight end and offensive line youth, both of which can be found later in the draft. Bringing back ‘Fitzmagic’ makes sense for the Jets, but for a quarterback in the latter part of his career, New York still has to be savvy financially. Many believe the veteran could lead the Jets far, and no one has been more vocal about that than Marshall.

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In terms of ‘more bang for the buck’, it makes more sense for the green and white to go out and get a play-maker like Kaepernick. Otherwise, the Jets are looking at the turnover prone Geno Smith or a developing Bryce Petty under center next season.