5 way-too-early targets for the NY Jets in the 2025 NFL Draft
By Ethan Susak
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4. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
While many after the 2024 draft are looking forward to a future where Jordan Travis will be QB1, the reality of that is very unlikely. The hit rate on late-round quarterbacks becoming quality starters is very low. Travis has the potential to be a high-end QB2 in this league, though.
Tyrod Taylor is currently on a two-year deal with the Jets and there's a good chance Travis will step into his role once his contract is up, but that still leaves the Jets with a 40+ year old QB and no true successor on the roster.
Quinn Ewers is a name you are all likely familiar with as he was discussed for the 2024 draft before he opted to return to Texas. Ewers, 21, came into college as one of the highest-ranked prospects ever and committed to Ohio State before transferring to Texas.
He had a middling 2022 season before exploding on the scene in 2023. Ewers compiled 3,460 passing yards for 24 touchdowns and six interceptions that season while also cutting his turnover-worthy play percentage in half from the previous year, per PFF.
Ewers would be an interesting prospect to train under Rodgers, but ultimately one that could work out. Ewers has a cannon of an arm and can get the ball anywhere on the field.
The issue is that his throwing style can be wonky at times so it may not land with the utmost grace, something that I'm sure Aaron Rodgers can teach him a thing or two about.
He will be without several key playmakers from his 2023 season, losing three wide receivers, his RB1, and his tight end, so this will be a good season to study and see what he's got. Let's see if he can solidify himself as someone who can take the reigns from Rodgers.
5. Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
We round out this list at cornerback again with one of my favorite prospects in this upcoming draft.
Burke, 21, is a true elite cover corner. He mostly plays on an island alone for the Buckeyes and doesn't give up much on it. During the 2023 season when in single coverage he had more combined interceptions and forced incompletions (6) than he did allowed catches (5), per PFF.
Burke is someone you can throw opposite Sauce Gardner on his own island and not worry about him much, just like D.J. Reed. He has the speed to keep up with almost any player, the intelligence of a veteran who doesn't often get outsmarted, and a willingness to throw himself in on run plays to stop the ball carrier.
The biggest knocks you are going to see on Burke are most likely a lack of play strength as he can sometimes get overpowered at a block point and fail to shed off of it, and that he can be over-eager on tackles allowing the ball carrier to slip free.
Even with these flaws, Burke is a good late-Round 1 cornerback prospect to take Reed's place in this defense if the Jets opt to keep Carter instead. He's fast, smart, and a leader in the locker room. I expect Joe Douglas to have close eyes on him this upcoming season.
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