Jets Likely To Draft Zach Wilson With No. 2 Pick?

When the Jets deigned to win a couple of games towards the end of the 2020 campaign to take themselves out of the running for Clemson signal-caller Trevor Lawrence, their draft plans suddenly became very uncertain. There was still plenty of speculation connecting them to consolation prize QBs like BYU’s Zach Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields, but a trade down, a top receiver (LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase), or a top LT (Oregon’s Penei Sewell) also became distinct possibilities.

As the offseason has gone along, though, it has looked increasingly likely that the Jets would nab Wilson. And according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, it’s Wilson’s “job” to lose (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com on Twitter). Wilson’s pro day is tomorrow, and assuming all goes well, it looks like he is destined to become the Jets’ next hope for a franchise quarterback.

Of course, that leaves the third overall pick of the 2018 draft, Sam Darnold, in an awkward position. Some of the Jets’ theoretical trade partners for Darnold may no longer be viable landing spots, and while New York could keep Darnold and have him and Wilson battle it out for the starting gig, Gang Green would obviously prefer to acquire some draft capital for Darnold if it’s committing the No. 2 overall pick to Wilson.

For what it’s worth, new acquisition Corey Davis said that when he signed with the Jets, he was under the impression that Darnold would be the team’s signal-caller. Of course, that doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still notable that a top free agent wideout was comfortable enough with Darnold to hitch his wagon to the embattled QB.

Wilson was tremendous in his final collegiate season, throwing for 33 TDs against just three picks, and he added 10 rushing TDs for good measure. That showing catapulted him past Fields in the eyes of many pundits, and it seems the Jets feel the same way.

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