The Jets are putting in “extensive work” on Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, a team source tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
[RELATED: Jets Targeting QBs Coach Jeremy Bates]
New York holds the sixth pick in the 2017 draft, and could conceivably target Watson at that point, but they’ve also been linked to other quarterbacks this offseason. The Jets are reportedly high on North Carolina signal-caller Mitch Trubisky, who, like Watson, is a projected Day 1 pick. Meanwhile, general manager Mike Maccagnan & Co. also have interest in pending Buccaneers free agent Mike Glennon, whom the Jets attempted to acquire two years ago.
Watson, 21, has been linked to a number of clubs so far this offseason, and both the Browns and Cardinals reportedly have interest in the Clemson product. Cleveland could take a look at Watson with the first overall pick, but could also target him at pick No. 12, while Arizona currently sits at pick No. 13 and could be in the market for a quarterback if Carson Palmer retires.
The Jets have two quarterbacks under contract for the 2017 season, but the club has concerns about the viability of both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, each of whom were selected in the top four rounds of recent drafts. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick will be a free agent, but New York will incur $5MM in dead cap space due to a 2017 voidable year in his contract.
What a shock! The Jets are interested in a QB? I wouldn’t trust the Jets talent evaluators in any way. Let’s see Geno Smith, bringing back Fitzpatrick, draft Petty, Hackenberg. And why not over reach in a crop of college QB’s that most are saying is mediocre at best. Or they could overpay for a free agent. Either way the Jets talent evaluators must go. Until they do they are going to continue wasting high draft picks and keep the team from ever reaching a super bowl.
Please dont let watson land with the jers horrible place to go
If the Jets are interested, then he must suck. Every qb they draft is a failure.
By that logic Myles Garrett must suck too since every 1st round pick by the browns has sucked for the longest time. Watson is easily the best QB in this class, he dominated a defense that’s a NFL caliber defense in Alabama. While this QB class is weak Watson could be a perennial pro bowler
Joe Haden, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack…all pretty successful former first round picks to me.
Also, while I am a Watson supporter, you know who else played well against top college defenses? Jonny Manziel…so that’s not always the greatest argument.
Guys, you are all being negative personally I think this is the best thing the jets can do first of all of its a bust they wasted a pick but drafting offensive lineman and linebackers or even running backs won’t do anything to their record the jets suck and they need to take a chance in a high risk high reward QB