Niner Noise
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NFL Draft: 5 teams most in need of a quarterback in 2018

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Deshaun Watson of Clemson poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #12 overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Deshaun Watson of Clemson poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked #12 overall by the Houston Texans during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Josh McCown #15 of the New York Jets begins to remove his helmet after appearing to sustain an injury in the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. McCown would not return to the game. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Josh McCown #15 of the New York Jets begins to remove his helmet after appearing to sustain an injury in the third quarter of a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. McCown would not return to the game. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

No. 2: New York Jets

The New York Jets rank slightly higher than the Browns on this list for a number of reasons.

First, there’s the pressure of playing within the top media market in the country. That alone generates interest here.

But more importantly, the Jets were supposed to be terrible in 2017, especially after the mass jettisoning of players leading up to the regular season. Yet the Jets currently boast a 5-10 record and have turned into one of the more surprising teams in the league this season.

While the record is nothing to brag about, head coach Todd Bowles’ job is likely safe next year. And this team could be in line for some resurgence next season.

To find an anchor point — a player to build around and to establish a true “face of the franchise” — New York needs to find a young, flashy quarterback in the NFL Draft. The veteran, Josh McCown, handled these duties well enough before landing on season-ending injured reserve with a hand injury in Week 14.

A free agent in 2018, McCown isn’t the long-term answer, though. And it doesn’t look like backup QB Bryce Petty offers up much more confidence.

With a top-10 pick in the draft, adding the next signal-caller would help keep this once-laughable franchise heading in the right direction.