Jets 2019 NFL draft preview: Quarterback

In this series, we’ll preview every position group as it relates to the 2019 NFL draft and the New York Jets. First up, let’s take a look at the Jets’ quarterback situation, and how it could be impacted by this year’s draft.

It’s the most important position in the game, and in last year’s draft, the Jets made a bold move to get a dynamic playmaker to build their roster around. New York traded a trio of second-round picks to move up three spots in the 2018 draft for Sam Darnold, and despite a few expected rookie bumps, Darnold’s rookie campaign showed exactly the kind of promise that made him the No. 3 overall pick.

There’s not a ton of experience behind him on the depth chart. Trevor Siemian had some success in a brief starting stint with the Denver Broncos, while Davis Webb wasn’t given much of a chance to challenge for the role of Eli Manning’s successor with the New York Giants. Brandon Silvers was recently signed after a solid performance with the AAF’s Memphis Express prior to the league’s abrupt folding.

The Jets don’t have too many draft picks to play with this year, which makes it unlikely they’ll use one of them on another young quarterback. That said, there could be some potential targets that would make sense as undrafted free agents.

Late-round picks and undrafted free agent signings are all about taking chances on high-upside players who slipped through the cracks for any number of reasons, or finding solid locker-room guys who can provide much-needed leadership, versatility, and buy-in to the team culture. Here are a few quarterbacks that might fit the bill for the Jets if they end up going undrafted:

Easton Stick, North Dakota State

Trace McSorley, Penn State

Jake Browning, Washington

Marcus McMaryion, Fresno State

Eric Dungey, Syracuse