New York Jets 2018 NFL Draft Target: Josh Rosen
The New York Jets own the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here is a prospect they should seriously consider selecting if available – quarterback Josh Rosen of UCLA.
The New York Jets are in need of a franchise quarterback. Desperately. It seems like they’re always searching for one. I wrote over a month ago that Gang Green needs to sign free agent Kirk Cousins as their new signal-caller. New York would be getting a top 12 quarterback in his prime. Failing to do that, the Jets have to grab their quarterback of the future in next month’s NFL Draft.
Gang Green owns the sixth overall pick. Josh Rosen of UCLA is a prospect they should very seriously selecting if he is still available when they’re on the clock. I have read numerous mock drafts over the last two months and the 6-4, 218-pounder was taken anywhere from first (Cleveland) to 11th (Miami).
If he somehow drops to the Jets at No. 6, New York’s brain trust should hand in their card with Rosen’s name on it at warp speed. He’s the most NFL ready quarterback among the premier prospects in this year’s class. His ceiling is very high.
Let’s take a look at some of Rosen’s highlights via YouTube:
The Manhattan Beach, CA native stayed home to play for the Bruins and finished his junior season in 2017 with 26 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He ranked second in the nation with 341.5 passing yards per game and completed 62.6 percent of his pass attempts.
Rosen was a tennis prodigy before high school and is a superb all-around athlete. He has excellent footwork and delivery balance in the pocket and does not wilt when the pocket collapses. Rosen steps into his throws beautifully and has above-average arm strength. What is really impressive is that he can make any throw — slant, post, back shoulder, fade, among others — with precise accuracy. His mechanics are top-notch. Rosen has fine touch on the ball and leads his receivers so they can catch the ball in stride and make big plays.
No player is perfect though, and Rosen has a few blemishes. He has a gunslinger’s mentality and takes too many chances at times. He forces passes on occasion. Rosen is also not overly mobile and is adequate at best on roll-out throws.
It’s been written that he is cocky, over-confident and has character issues. His leadership qualities have come into question. He’ll get a chance to dispel those negatives during his pre-draft prep work and the upcoming interview process that all prospects undergo.
Rosen also has some durability issues. He suffered a pair of concussions last season and missed a pair of games, including the Cactus Bowl. He also needs to get stronger to survive the inevitable hard hits that will come in the NFL.
Next: NFL Free Agency 2018: Dream target for each team
Rosen is probably the best pure pocket passer in the upcoming draft. He has some flaws, no doubt, but so do all the other top quarterback prospects. He’s known for being very intelligent and reading defensive alignments is not difficult for him. He’ll have to prove that he’s coachable and can command the huddle on the pro level. If Cousins signs elsewhere, Rosen’s upside is simply too good to pass up if he is available when the Jets make their first round selection.