2018 NFL Draft: Power ranking top 6 quarterbacks for the New York Jets

The New York Jets haven’t had a Super Bowl-winning quarterback since the 1960’s. They have several options in free agency, but let’s power rank the top six 2018 NFL Draft quarterback prospects that would make sense for the team.

There are six quarterbacks that we will take a look at here that actually make sense for the New York Jets. Sam Darnold out of USC, Josh Rosen from UCLA, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma, Mason Rudolph out of Oklahoma State, Lamar Jackson out of Louisville, and Josh Allen out of Wyoming.

The Jets need a quarterback or two this offseason as it’s the most important position on the team. Everything changes when you have a franchise quarterback in place as everyone will rally and go the distance to win football games. Fix the quarterback situation and everything else will fall into place.

I personally think Rosen is the most NFL ready, and Mayfield could be the best out of these six come four years down the line. Let’s get right to power ranking each of these six quarterbacks that could be the answer under center for the Jets.

6. The Guy Everyone Wants

Sam Darnold, 6’3, 220 lbs, 31” arm length, 9 3/8” hands, USC

Remember Suck for Sam being posted by Jets fans all summer long last year? Yeah well, the Suck for Sam worked out better for the Browns and Giants.

Darnold turned the ball over more than any other player in the NCAA last year, yet at times looks like a young Andrew Luck. The California surfer boy has the ability to get the ball in a tight window, can move around the pocket with poise, and had one heck of an arm down the field.

Darnold’s decision making needs to improve, and he could really work on his footwork to increase his accuracy in the short to medium range. Darnold played the hero role kind of like Philip Rivers, this past season, chucking the ball down the field a lot, which worries some.

So what’s the catch with Darnold? His lack of experience worries a lot of scouts, especially since he turned the ball over more this year than last and he only completed 42.6 percent of his throws when on the run. If he stayed one more year, he’d be the consensus number one pick, but he’s raw. If the Jets go this route with Darnold, he’d need some great offensive linemen in front of him since if he’s rushed or pressure too much, he’ll bring back a lot of Mark Sanchez memories.

Next: 5. The Fiery Choice

5. The Fiery Choice

Baker Mayfield, 6’1, 215 pounds, 30 1/4” arm length, 9 1/4” hands, Oklahoma

Broadway Baker? It’s got a very nice ring to it. Mayfield won America’s heart and the Heisman this past season, will he be wearing Green and White next fall? It’s a very good possibility.

The most sensational quarterback to enter the draft since Johnny Manziel is Mayfield. He makes plays happen out of the pocket, he has running ability, absurd confidence and cockiness, and has really good accuracy as a passer.

The former two-time walk-on plays the game as if it’s him vs the world and is basically the opposite of Rosen when it comes to leadership abilities. Baker does indeed have off the field troubles but promises that’s in the past.

Mayfield needs to develop into a pro-style quarterback, prove he can play under center and needs to focus on his footwork as he throws off his back foot too much. As he’s undersized, Mayfield has doubters and haters, I don’t think he’s worth a top ten pick, but one team will make him their next franchise quarterback. If the Jets want to light the football world on fire, drafting Mayfield would create quite the buzz across the city that never sleeps.

Next: 4. The Developmental Guy

4. The Developmental Guy

Mason Rudolph, 6’5, 235lbs, 32 3/8” arm length, 9 1/8” hands, Oklahoma State

Rudolph won the battle of Bedlam over Baker this past season, yet in my opinion is the worst of these six quarterbacks. Rudolph’s accuracy really bothers me, and he’s played in the West Coast shotgun offense for his entire career.

Rudolph is THE developmental guy out of this draft. It’s easy to see the Steelers, Chargers, or Saints drafting him and trying to turn him into a future starter. What is to like about Rudolph is his ability to run, especially in the zone-read option, as he had 17 rushing touchdowns in college.

Who does Rudolph remind me of? Blake Bortles and Christian Ponder, both play action big body quarterbacks who don’t have the greatest accuracy, have the ability to run and are just above average at best.

Rudolph’s leadership abilities are great, he’s a devout Christian, with some saying he may be too goody-goody to be the leader of an NFL team. I don’t look too much into that, but I personally see Rudolph as a bust, nothing special, backup at best. If the Jets want to completely start over at quarterback, it’s important to also have a decent backup behind a starter. Rudolph could be a perfect fit for such a role if Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg end up being released by the Jets.

Next: 3. The Runner Who Can Throw

3. The Runner Who Can Throw

Lamar Jackson, 6’3, 200lbs, Louisville

Jackson is a quarterback, and he denied scouts, GM’s, and coaches by not working out in receiver drills at the combine. Jackson won the Heisman two seasons ago, can run like a receiver and can throw just as well as others in this draft.

Jackson’s accuracy is questionable, to say the least, he needs to improve his footwork, base, and hips when throwing. He also needs to learn to stay in the pocket or he will get crushed game in and game out running the ball.

Is Lamar Jackson the next Michael Vick? No. Is that his ceiling? Yes. Jackson’s arm is nowhere near Vick’s but Jackson has the ability to make a big play every single play either throwing or running outside the pocket.

Jackson will give teams fits trying to stop in both ways, but he needs to develop into a quarterback without relying on his legs. I see a team drafting him to develop him, starting right away does not behoove Jackson in any way. Jackson would be a solid dual-threat option for the Jets, he’s a big playmaker and would be better than anything we’ve seen over the past few years. Yeah, he has some work ahead of him but once developed, could be huge for the Jets in the future.

Next: 2. A Boom Or Bust Pick

2. A Boom Or Bust Pick

Josh Allen, 6’5, 233lbs, 33 1/4” arm length, 10 1/8 hands, Wyoming

Allen is the ultimate wild card out of this group of quarterbacks. He could turn into a different version of Carson Wentz, he could be a Big Ben type of quarterback, or he could be a bust. Allen’s accuracy bothers everyone, yet his arm strength, confidence, leadership, build, and size excites everyone.

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He looks like a TE, runs like a TE, and can throw a ball 70+ yards. Allen is the 4th best quarterback in this draft behind Rosen, Darnold, and Mayfield. I also think Allen has the opportunity to turn into a really good quarterback, depending on who drafts and develops him.

If you watch Allen’s highlight tapes you cringe at times and you tend to jump out of your seat. In the last game of his career, his senior year bowl game, he threw the ball really well. At other times he looked awful, but trust in that Allen will figure it all out and is a Mike Glennon/Jake Locker at worst, Big Ben/Carson Wentz at best.

For the Jets, Allen would be a huge risk to take but has everything they’d be looking for in a quarterback. Can they overlook his accuracy issues and hope he can correct them as he begins his journey to the pros? Aside from his accuracy issues, he could be a very good quarterback for many years to come.

Next: 1. The Best Right Now

1. The Best Right Now

Josh Rosen, 6’4, 226 lbs, 31 3/4” arm length, 9 7/8” hands, UCLA

Rosen has the best accuracy and footwork in the draft and is most likely the best decision maker. Yet for some reason, many are expecting Rosen to drop in the draft due to his “commitment to football.”

I think Josh Rosen loves football, even though he is a former Tennis prodigy, he’s going to be an NFL starting quarterback for years, and someone is going to put all their eggs in the basket for Rosen. Could it be the Jets?

He would be an instant starter for them and if they’re willing to overlook his injuries from college, know Rosen is everything they can ask for in a quarterback and then some. He’s got the stats, leadership, and upside to finally have a high-quality franchise quarterback.

Must Read: The greatest Jets starting roster of all-time

The biggest issue with Rosen is can he be the franchise quarterback that the Jets can rely on to deliver consistent results? I think Rosen doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt, and he is no doubt the best Quarterback RIGHT NOW.