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New York Jets shouldn’t draft Marcus Mariota

By Robert Brewer

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As ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a couple of days ago, the New York Jets have agreed to a trade to acquire wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears. The enigmatic Marshall is coming off of a down season in which he recorded 61 receptions for 721 yards, his lowest production since his rookie season. However, Marshall is a five-time Pro Bowler that has proven to be a strong and durable pass catcher throughout his career. In nine NFL seasons, Marshall has only missed eight games during that span.

From my viewpoint, the reasoning behind the move makes sense from the New York Jets’ perspective. At six-foot-four inches, Marshall is an inviting red zone target with play making ability. In addition, Jets’ head coach Todd Bowles has experience working with Marshall as both were in Miami together from 2010-2011. While Marshall can be a distraction at times, he is an instant upgrade over anything that New York previously had in their receiving core. Marshall also makes last year’s mid-season acquisition Percy Harvin an expendable piece.

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According to Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith, Harvin was scheduled to make $10.5 million in 2015 and would have cost the Jets a fourth round draft pick if he remained on the roster by March 19. The newly acquired Marshall paired with fellow wideout Eric Decker should revamp a Jets’ passing offense that ranked dead last in the NFL in 2014. The question now becomes who will be throwing the ball to these king-sized receivers?

The New York Jets currently hold the number six overall pick in the NFL draft. There is a very real possibility that Oregon star quarterback Marcus Mariota will be available at that spot. Although it may be an unpopular decision for a quarterback needy team to pass on a potential franchise quarterback, I think the Jets should do exactly that. As a 4-12 team last year, the New York Jets have plenty of other holes to fill besides quarterback.

Pass rushers like Vic Beasley or Dante Fowler Jr. could make an instant impact and mask a weak Jets’ secondary. Cornerback Trae Waynes of Michigan State will likely be available as well with the sixth pick. As far as free agency is concerned, making a serious push for a top flight running back like DeMarco Murray makes all the sense in the world. If the New York Jets were able to acquire a top-tier defender in the draft and a great runner like Murray, Jets fans would likely forget all about Marcus Mariota.

Pinning the hopes and dreams of a woebegone franchise on a young signal caller is a panic move that the Jets have made numerous times with minimal success. Besides, Mariota does not project to be an instant star ala Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning. Therefore, by the time Mariota does progress into a good NFL quarterback, 30 year old Brandon Marshall and 27 year old Eric Decker will likely both be past their primes anyway.

If Gang Green decides to pass on Mariota, I fully understand that there are slim pickings in the free agent market for an upgrade at quarterback. Names like Shaun Hill and Ryan Mallett, along with ex-Jets Mike Vick and Mark Sanchez are far from tantalizing. However, building a winner in New York won’t happen over night and it’s about time the New York Jets allow that reality to sink in. Marcus Mariota won’t make the Jets a contender, so New York might as well head in a different direction and build their team in other areas.

I understand that Jets Nation is just aching to turn the page on the Geno Smith era. Smith’s erratic play the past two seasons has caused severe indigestion among many Jets’ fans. However, Smith can also surprise us once in a while as he did in the final game of the 2014 season, throwing for 358 yards, three touchdowns, and a perfect quarterback rating against Miami.

For all of his obvious flaws, Smith seems like a viable option to me because the Jets do not have much invested in him anyway. As a second round draft pick, Geno Smith has only has two years left on his rookie contract with a reasonable cap number of approximately $3 million over than span, according to OverTheCap.com.

That being said, I feel that New York would be better served to keep Smith around for now and see if he can figure things out while the Jets boost the talent around him. Trying to waive a magic wand by expecting a rookie quarterback to save the day is not realistic. Sure, Geno Smith won’t win a Super Bowl for the New York Jets next year, but neither will Marcus Mariota.

Next: New York Jets Mike McCagnan already making strides

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