Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looks to pass against the New York Giants during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 24: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets looks to pass against the New York Giants during their preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 24, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

. Previous: . New York Jets. 25. team. 30.

The Jets were in a position of relative luxury not long ago — boasting three quarterbacks capable of starting right away in Week 1: Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown and the rookie, Sam Darnold.

Bridgewater is now with the Saints, as New York added a mid-level draft pick to continue what is still an ongoing rebuild for head coach Todd Bowles and Co. But the move did more than just clear up a logjam.

It solidified Darnold’s role as the starter in 2018.

He’ll get the nod when the Jets open up the regular season against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, per NFL.com. Why not? The USC product has looked solid in each of his preseason outings and hasn’t shown any signs many first-year signal-callers display.

That’s probably why most draft pundits said he was the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s class, right?

At any rate, the Jets take a small hit in our NFL power rankings by running this risk right out of the gate. It could go poorly. That said, Darnold is the most exciting thing the Jets have had going for some time now.

Why not dive into that right away?