The New York Jets are in a very opportunistic spot with the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. All told, they possess 6 picks in the first 98 selections. Most mock drafts have them taking a quarterback with the second pick, either Justin Fields or Zach Wilson. With their second 1st rounder, most mocks have them taking an edge rusher. I believe they need to rethink this strategy.
Scenario 1
Attempt to trade their bevy of picks along with Sam Darnold to the Texans for Deshaun Watson. They would receive a top 5 quarterback in a league where they hold all the cards to winning a Super Bowl. Watson's contract would be very affordable for his talent. You would get him for 5 years, plus any additional franchise tags. The cap hit for the first year would be around $10.5M, ballooning to $35M in 2022, $37M in 2023, before lowering to $32M for 2024 and 2025.
Scenario 2
Keep Darnold. With a new coach, maybe you roll the dice with him as your quarterback. He is still on his rookie deal. I can't see him performing to the level of meeting a $30M/year average quarterback, but if he tanks you move on. If he accelerates his progress under a new coach, maybe you can get him for $15-23M/year, keeping some flexibility. With the 2nd overall pick, I think its slightly too high to take any of the wide receivers. Maybe a team a few spots back loves Fields or Wilson (I don't like either. Wilson hasn't shown me that he is elite and Fields is too brittle for me). I would take Penei Sewell at OT from Oregon. Give Darnold a second elite tackle for protection. He is by far the best offensive lineman in this draft. With the 23rd overall pick, I would the best defensive player available or take someone like Travis Etienne. The Jets need defense and they need to replace the timeless Frank Gore.
Choice
I would keep Darnold. I think he has what it takes to be a quarterback in the league. He may never be elite, but I also think mortgaging your future for Deshaun Watson isn't going to help this team win in the next few years. Maybe kick the tires with both firsts this year, maybe a 3rd rounder from this year, and a 2nd from 2022, along with Darnold. With the price the Rams paid for Stafford, that may not be enough.
Reference:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-2021-jets-dolphins-cowboys-patriots/1jr0c2gz92z4g14to3p2m751e4
