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New York Jets: 3 Quarterbacks worth waiting for in 2019 NFL Draft

By Michael Pallas

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass in the second half against the UCF Knights during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass in the second half against the UCF Knights during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern

Only four players in the history of Northwestern have gone in the first round, and Otto Graham is the only quarterback of the bunch. He was selected fourth overall in the 1944 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. So, it’s been a long time coming for a guy like Thorson to enter the draft.

He has the size, arm strength and leadership skills that scouts want to see in a quarterback. Thorson’s completion percentage has gone up in both his sophomore and junior seasons. He had low yardage and touchdown numbers, but that can be attributed to poor talent around him. Additionally, his 12 interceptions can be attributed to him trying to make plays.

He has the arm strength to hit the deep out and throw into the tight windows he will see in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus Elite, Thorson had a 94.8 passer rating on balls 20 or more yards in the air. Scouts are going to want to see more than the 41 attempts, though.

Northwestern also plays a pro-style system. He has the intelligence, intangible, and tangible skills to make it in the NFL as a quality starter. He’s worth the wait if the Jets are patient enough to wait until 2019.

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