Jets must draft a quarterback if one isn’t landed in free agency

After another losing season in 2017, the New York Jets have many holes to fill heading into the 2018 offseason, but as always, filling the void at the quarterback position tops that list.

Throughout the 2017 campaign veteran quarterback Josh McCown played better than some likely expected him to, but a hand injury forced him to miss the tail end of the season. He’s recently said that he’d like to return to the Jets in 2018, but at 38-years-old, he certainly doesn’t represent the future of the franchise.

Whether or not the team decides to bring McCown back next year, perhaps in a mentor type role, is up for debate, but what isn’t up for debate is the fact that the Jets need to focus on landing a franchise QB this offseason.

It’s been years since the Jets have had a reputable signal-caller and although the team currently has a plethora of young talent, they won’t be able to take that next step and become a playoff caliber team without a legitimate playmaker under center.

Luckily for the Green and White, many options will likely arise before the first snap of the 2018 season takes place.

For example, both Kirk Cousins and Teddy Bridgewater could become available in free agency and have been discussed as potential targets for the Jets. Also, veteran Alex Smith could become an option via trade or free agency as well if he parts ways with the Kansas City Chiefs.

In my opinion, Cousins would be the best choice if the Jets decide to go after a quarterback in free agency. At age 29, he’s an established NFL talent with a lot of miles left on him.

The only problem, however, is that the Jets would likely have to spend quite a bit to land Cousins. The same could be said for Smith as well, especially if he were to be acquired through a trade.

With that being said, I’m not convinced the Jets will sign a quarterback prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, although they do have quite a nice chunk of change to work with.

Regardless, if that ends up being the case, the Jets must draft a QB this spring.

With pick No. 6, the Jets will likely have a few options.

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USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen are expected to go in the top five, but Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Wyoming’s Josh Allen could certainly be available when the Jets hit the clock.

Many have mixed feelings towards Mayfield and some haven’t bought into Allen just yet, but both could be potential fits for the Jets.

Also, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson will likely be around later in the round, or he could drop to the second round where the Jets have multiple picks.

At this point, it’s a bit unclear how the deck will shuffle and who will be available when the Jets turn rolls around, but one thing that is clear is that the team needs to fill the position.

McCown isn’t the guy to build the team around at this point in his career and both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg don’t appear to be perfect fits either.

Enough is enough.

The New York Jets need to finally land their franchise QB.