What happens if all every quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft falls to the New York Jets at No. 3? It’s not impossible, so let’s see how things would work out.
The assumption at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft is that the Cleveland Browns will take Sam Darnold with the No. 1 overall pick. And there are some people who believe the New York Giants will take Darnold (if available) or Josh Rosen (if the Browns take Darnold).
What if neither take a quarterback, though? Could the New York Jets have all four of the top quarterbacks available when they make their selection at No. 3?
According to Manish Mehta of New York Daily News, the Jets were willing to trade up to No. 1 to ensure they would land the player they want.
"The Colts and Jets engaged in serious discussions the past few days, according to sources.The deal happened fast because the Jets, who also inquired about trading up with the Browns for the No. 1 overall pick, according to sources, were prepared. The groundwork set in Mobile in January gave them a good starting point in discussions after Cousins was no longer an option."
There’s a question to be asked if they actually did try to trade up to No. 1 overall: Was the Jets offer not good enough for the Browns, or do the Browns have a plan that they need to hold on to the No. 1 pick?
The Browns potential reason for not trading with the Jets
It is possible they see Josh Allen as “their” Ben Roethlisberger: a big, burly, strong-armed quarterback who can withstand the harsh weather found in the AFC North during the late fall/winter months. They believe he will need time to develop. So, they don’t use the No. 1 pick on him, but instead on Saquon Barkley to develop a running game while also taking pressure off of Tyrod Taylor. Then, they take Allen at No. 4.
The Giants stay at No. 2 and pick…
There’s still a chance the Giants trade out of their pick, especially if the Browns don’t take a quarterback. However, they could stay there in order to build a team that’s a “win-now” type of group.
Should the Browns take Barkley, which was one of the Giants’ targets, what would they do then? Well, the Giants won two Super Bowls when they could rush the passer with four and drop seven into coverage. The Giants believe they can build another winner for Eli Manning. So, they take the best pass rusher available at No. 2, Bradley Chubb.
The Jets have all four quarterbacks to choose from
It’s been wild lately. Starting with the Jets trading up to No. 3 overall, and then the Giants recently trading Jason Pierre-Paul. The trade of JPP opened another door for the Giants to not take a quarterback, and the Browns refusing to trade the No. 1 overall pick to the Jets should set off alarm bells, but it doesn’t.
Here’s my ranking of the “Big Four” quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft: 1. Sam Darnold, 2. Josh Rosen, 3. Baker Mayfield, 4. Josh Allen. It is possible to have all four available. If they have all four to choose from, they have no excuse for messing it up. Darnold is the best available prospect (and yes, he can handle the NY market, because he played in Los Angeles).
Next: NFL Free Agency 2018: Biggest steal for each team
The assumption is the Darnold will be gone, but stranger things have happened. So, as it’s commonly said, don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Let’s not assume the Jets will only have Mayfield and Allen to choose from. Anything can happen.