ESPN insider makes stunning Carnell Tate-Jets claim before draft

Although the names have changed, there has never been an expectation that the New York Jets would use the No. 2 pick on a receiver.

We might be having a different conversation if Geno Smith wasn’t the Jets’ starting quarterback.

That’s nothing against Smith, of course. Instead, ESPN’s Matt Miller reported on Friday that the Jets would have considered Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 2 if the team was “better set” at quarterback.

Miller hinted that the Jets will take Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with their first of two first-round picks.

The Jets’ reported interest in Carnell Tate at No. 2 makes no sense

Considering that the Jets last made the postseason before Skip Bayless became obsessed with Tim Tebow, it’s extremely easy to claim the organization has no clue what it’s doing.

And, in fairness, there’s enough evidence over the last 15 years to validate such an opinion.

Even if the Jets had Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson at quarterback, taking a receiver at No. 2 still would have been absurd. With all due respect to Carnell Tate, he’s not exactly Calvin Johnson (No. 2 in 2007) or Larry Fitzgerald (No. 3 in 2004).

In fact, the Jets’ argument that they wouldn’t use the No. 2 pick on a receiver because of their quarterback situation makes even less sense.

Outside of quarterbacks, you typically use a top-10 pick on a player that you expect to contribute on Day 1 and who you truly believe is capable of accelerating your rebuild or helping you return to the postseason.

The Lions and Cardinals, respectively, drafted Johnson and Fitzgerald despite not having a proven franchise quarterback. Remember, Johnson preceded Matthew Stafford by two years, and they didn’t play a full season together until 2011.

Houston used the No. 3 pick on Andre Johnson in 2003 because the Texans still had hope in David Carr. Cincinnati paired Ja’Marr Chase (No. 4 in 2021) with former LSU teammate Joe Burrow, even with the latter returning from a torn ACL.

If the Jets genuinely believe that Tate is worth taking that early, then take him at No. 2 or trade down. There is no need to overcomplicate things … except when you’re the Jets.

Geno Smith might not be an above-average starter, but he’s at least capable of being a competent starter. Fitzgerald turned out fine, and he didn’t have a stable quarterback in place until his fourth season, when Kurt Warner earned the full-time starting gig in 2007.

To be clear, none of this is to say that Tate should be the pick, especially not with the Jets having two first-round selections. Tate or USC’s Makai Lemon could easily fall to them at No. 16.

As is often the case, though, the Jets are reportedly failing to use logic while making personnel decisions. Great job, all.