Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo in play for New York Jets?
Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the Towson Tigers at O
Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, and David Fales are three very intriguing small-school quarterbacks in the 2014 NFL Draft class, and both Carr and Garoppolo are locks to be taken in the first two rounds of the draft. I would have no qualms with spending a top ten pick on Carr due to his physical tools and coachability, but it’s far more likely for him to go in the late first or second round at this juncture.
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The New York Jets have big needs at wide receiver and in the defensive backfield, and they are fully expected to address one of these needs in the first round of the draft. They could stay put and draft a WR like Brandin Cooks or a corner like Darqueze Dennard or Kyle Fuller, but there’s also a chance that they trade up for one of the draft’s marquee receivers in Odell Beckham Jr.
I don’t think there’s a chance of the Jets drafting a quarterback this year after drafting Geno Smith in the second round last year, and they signed veteran QB Michael Vick as his backup this offseason in case Smith does flop. The Jets need to take a close look at what they have in him and give him another weapon in addition to offseason signing Eric Decker (he had no help last year), but the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Jets have done “a lot of groundwork” at the quarterback position in preparation in this year’s draft. Per Rapoport, they have looked closely at first-round and early second-round quarterbacks, and he names Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo as two specific examples of players to watch for.
I couldn’t see the Jets spending a top pick on a QB, but it isn’t out of the question if either prospect slips into the second round and into their hands after they draft a top-notch CB or wideout in the first. This doesn’t seem to be a likelihood, but I would file it away just in case, especially is still available when they are on the clock tomorrow.