As the New York Jets brace to pick in the top ten for the fifth time in seven years, a familiar phrase has rung around the upcoming draft.
“Don’t let the Jets ruin another young QB.”
But even though their reputation shows that the Jets have been a bad place for QB development, this new regime will have the chance to right that wrong. With the current infrastructure in place, this may be New York’s best chance to develop a great signal caller.
Abundance of Draft Capital
Many fans will roll their eyes at this notion. The Jets have had their share of premium picks to build around both Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, and have failed to have an above-average offense. Although both QBs didn’t help with their levels of play, a big reason for this was the lack of selections at receiver and offensive line.
So far, the signs are good with Darren Mougey. The first-year Jets GM addressed the offensive line and pass catcher in his inaugural draft with offensive tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor.
As a rookie, Membou is already graded as a top-five right tackle by PFF. Although Taylor’s numbers have been sullied by a weak offense that rarely passes, he’s still managed to make big plays at a position with a steep development curve.
Outside of the top two picks, Mougey has managed to find solid starters later on with Azareye’h Thomas and Malachi Moore. That’s not to say he’ll hit on all of his picks, but his track record is impressive so far.
If Mougey can continue this trend with New York’s next eight first and second round picks over the next two years, the Jets’ depleted roster could become scary very quickly.
Offensive Building Blocks
For a team that’s had their fair share of offensive turmoil, New York has plenty of exciting building blocks to support a young QB.
Most intriguingly, the Jets finally have a young offensive line that can protect a QB when healthy. The tackle duo of Membou and 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu already looks like an above-average pairing and can be one of the best in the NFL in time.
Joe Tippmann has transitioned into a solid guard, and their interior could also be among the league’s best if New York re-signs Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Another looming free agent is Breece Hall. Although Hall was expected to be traded before the deadline, resigning or franchise tagging him makes sense with the Jets slated to have over 100 million in cap space.
Hall and Garrett Wilson are two players who can be top five at their positions, while Taylor is a solid player with an exciting ceiling to tap into.
Even leading up to the draft, New York already has exciting pieces to support a young QB.
Tanner Engstrand
Engstrand made a name for himself in Detroit as one of the best pass game designers in the NFL. Although the Jets’ pass offense has struggled, there are hints of his play-calling prowess over the tape.
Justin Fields has been a Mougey whiff in free agency. The fifth-year starter is one of the most trigger-shy QBs in the NFL, whose processing issues are hindering New York’s offense similarly to Zach Wilson in years past.
When looking at the tape, there are plenty of examples of Fields’ timing deficiencies stunting the offense. Of the three top QBs in next year’s draft: Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, and Dante Moore, all of them are aggressive rhythm throwers who could succeed in an Engstrand offense.
The fact that Engstrand is getting guys open with no wideouts of note other than Garrett Wilson and maybe Adonai Mitchell now is exciting. Although there have been issues with situational play calling, these are the growing pains of a rookie signal caller, especially one with an unreliable QB. Just look at the success former Jets OC Mike Lafleur has had with the Rams after Zach Wilson.
With a trustworthy signal caller, Engstrand has the opportunity to be among the best play callers in football.
Comparing to Competitors
It’s easy to understand the concerns around the Jets taking another QB. But of the potential landing spots for these rookies, there may not be a better landing spot than the Jets.
Of the bottom teams in football, which team has a stable coaching staff, offensive line, and haul of draft picks comparable to New York? The Jets have never had this much to build around on offense, the last step is to find the guy under center.
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