5 QBs the NY Jets could draft to succeed Aaron Rodgers

The NY Jets are looking forward to a healthy Aaron Rodgers returning in 2024, but while Rodgers offers the organization a short-term window of opportunity, the team is still looking for its long-term quarterback solution.

That solution isn't on the roster at the moment. Zach Wilson, the Jets' most recent quarterback project, has been an unmitigated disaster in New York and is expected to be shown the door in the near future.

The Jets are unlikely to use a high pick on a quarterback in this year's draft, but it's very possible — some might even say likely — that they address the position at some point later this month.

Of course, the success rate with mid-round quarterback prospects is incredibly low, but the players on this list at least have an outside chance to develop into future starters. Here are five quarterbacks the Jets could draft to develop behind Rodgers.

5. The NY Jets could draft South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler

Spencer Rattler is probably the most highly touted quarterback prospect on this list, but even he is expected to be at best a late Day 2 pick. Remember we're not looking at any of the top QBs in this year's draft.

Rattler raises red flags when it comes to his size and athletic testing. At just 6-foot, 211 pounds, Rattler ran a disappointing 4.95 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His 4.15 RAS was one of the lowest marks among all quarterbacks in his class.

Rattler's tape tells a different story, however. The Oklahoma transfer has an NFL-caliber arm, excellent escapability, and better-than-expected accuracy in all areas of the field. He's still prone to inconsistencies, but he's one of the best mid-round quarterback prospects in this draft.

If you can overlook his size and subpar athleticism, there's a lot to like about Rattler as a prospect. It would be hard to complain about the Jets using a fourth-round pick on him later this month.

4. The NY Jets could draft South Alabama QB Carter Bradley

One later-round quarterback prospect who could intrigue the Jets is Carter Bradley. The South Alabama product is the son of former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. The elder Bradley's close relationship with Robert Saleh gives the Jets a connection here.

Bradley was a highly productive college quarterback who spent a few years at Toledo before transferring to South Alabama where he set numerous school records.

Bradley isn't going to wow anyone with his athleticism and he projects as a pretty straightforward pocket passer at the NFL level, but he has impressive arm talent and prototypical NFL size.

His athleticism limits his ceiling as a pro, but Bradley has the production and traits that NFL teams look for. The Jets could target him with one of their later Day 3 picks.

3. The NY Jets could draft Tennessee QB Joe Milton

You're not going to find a more exciting Day 3 quarterback prospect than Joe Milton. Milton is a physical freak, very much in the mold of quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, etc.

At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Milton has a cannon for an arm with excellent athleticism and a jaw-dropping highlight reel. It's everything else about him as a prospect that's the problem.

Milton's footwork is a mess, his accuracy is all over the place, he has seemingly no velocity control on his passes, and he often devolves into a backyard football style of play. Throw in the fact that he's already 24 years old and it's not hard to see why he's expected to be drafted on Day 3.

Milton isn't anywhere close to being NFL-ready, and there's every chance he's another Tyree Jackson-type who flames out of the league in two years. But if you're looking for a project of a quarterback prospect to develop behind Rodgers, Milton is easily the best in this class.

2. The NY Jets could draft Tulane QB Michael Pratt

Michael Pratt is one of a few mid-round quarterback prospects the Jets have reportedly shown interest in. A four-year starter at Tulane, Pratt became a starter three games into his true freshman season and never gave up the job.

The Florida native was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 after leading Tulane to a 10-1 record as a starter, completing over 65 percent of his passes and throwing 22 touchdowns to go along with just five interceptions.

Pratt lacks elite physical traits to help him stand out in today's NFL, but he was a productive college player with a base skill set that should allow him to step into a backup role early in his career.

Pratt is a savvy, experienced quarterback prospect who has shown consistent growth throughout his career. I'm not sure I quite see the upside, but he has the potential to have a lengthy career as an NFL backup at the very least.

1. The NY Jets could draft Florida State QB Jordan Travis

If not for a devastating leg injury that robbed him of part of his senior season, Jordan Travis might be seen as an early Day 2 prospect in this year's class. Unfortunately, that injury likely makes him more of a Day 3 pick.

Travis is one of the oldest and most experienced quarterback prospects in this draft, having originally made his debut for Lousiville back in 2018. A transfer and some steady improvement helped Travis develop into one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2023 and likely would've led his school to the College Football Playoff if not for his injury.

Travis has enough arm talent and mobility to raise his ceiling in the NFL, especially when combined with the fact that scouts have raved about his character and leadership. He's an ideal Day 3 developmental quarterback prospect — and someone the Jets seem to be eyeing.