2018 NFL offseason: Predicting which quarterbacks go where
By Peter Panacy
New York Jets
Who They Get: Tyrod Taylor (Bills) and Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Veteran quarterback Josh McCown had a surprisingly pleasant season with the New York Jets, completing 67.25 percent of his passes before suffering a season-ending hand injury in Week 13.
But McCown, a pending free agent, is also 38 years old and shouldn’t be seen as anything more than a bridge quarterback at this point in his career. Yes, the Jets have a lot of needs. But head coach Todd Bowles will be under pressure to build upon his team’s 5-11 finish in 2017.
So it’s likely New York goes the same route many of the teams on this list go — sign a veteran and take a promising rookie in the NFL Draft.
The veteran is, by this prediction, current Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor.
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All indications point to Taylor being out in Buffalo, as head coach Sean McDermott will probably continue shaking up his roster this offseason. Taylor will turn 29 years old this summer and has a skill set that should give Jets fans something to be excited about.
New York won’t simply hand the job over to Taylor for the long run, though. Armed with the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them target a promising QB prospect early.
And someone with the mobility, rushing prowess and big-arm strength, in a similar mold to Taylor, is Louisville QB Lamar Jackson.
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The similar skill sets and abilities make for a nice fit. And I believe Jackson’s stock will only rise between now and day one of the draft, making the thought of him being a top-10 pick likely.