NFL Spin Zone breaks down biggest mistake Jets made this offseason

So far this offseason, the New York Jets have been bolstering their roster in hopes of having another winning season. NFL Spin Zone of the FanSided network listed every team’s mistake so far this offseason, including a possible big one by the Jets.

On all accounts, the New York Jets have had an interesting and possibly successful offseason so far in 2018. Of course, it’s hard to know whether or not their offseason moves or 2018 NFL Draft class will pan out over the next year or so, but for now, the Jets are creating a nice buzz about their potential next season and beyond.

It won’t be easy but the Jets are hoping they can end their streak of losing seasons as they’re coming off two bad years ending with 5-11 records. Ideally, the Jets are banking that they added enough help on their defense and offensive line to be competitive in 2018.

The Jets finally drafted their future franchise quarterback this year, but did they give up more than they should have to secure one of the Big 4 at the most important position on the team? That’ll be quite the hot debate over the next few years depending on how the careers of Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen respectively shape out.

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In an article written by Randy Gurzi of NFL Spin Zone, here’s what he said was the biggest mistake the Jets made this offseason, which was all about the moves that led to drafting Darnold:

New York ended up with Sam Darnold out of USC, but with the way the draft fell, its possibly he could have been there at No. 6. Or at the very worst, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen would have been there. Do any of those players offer a significant drop in value from Darnold to justify the three picks? Maybe. But that’s a call that should have been made when they actually knew who they were picking.

Gurzi, as well as many other analysts and draft gurus, for the most part, believed that whichever quarterback out of the Big 4 the Jets would end up drafting would have easily been an upgrade over anyone they’ve had under center in years. Even if the Jets stayed pat at No. 6, one of the Big 4 would have been available and by the looks of how the draft order ultimately went down, Darnold would have still been available.

The Jets gave up three premium draft picks in order to trade up from No. 6 to No. 3 with the Indianapolis Colts but at the end of the day, it was a move that simply needed to happen for peace of mind. It’s been decades since the Jets had a young quarterback worth bragging about and by the looks of it, have one so far that is already progressing. Months before this year’s draft, there was a lot of speculation about how these top quarterbacks could go and general manager Mike Maccagnan likely wanted to be safe rather than sorry.

It’s best to pay up more than you needed to in order to secure a top player that can come right in and take care of business. Darnold still has a lot of work ahead of him before he’s ready to start but the potential is there and Maccagnan once again in his tenure got a premier player that dropped a few spots that not many predicted would transpire.

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Years from now Jets fans will find out if giving up so much was worth it based on how well Darnold does within his first few seasons in the pros. Until then, the jury is still out on whether or not Maccagnan did the right thing.