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New York Jets: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

By Russell S. Baxter

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a third quarter touchdown with teammates tackle Trent Williams #71 and guard Spencer Long #61 against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at FedExField on January 10, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a third quarter touchdown with teammates tackle Trent Williams #71 and guard Spencer Long #61 against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at FedExField on January 10, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks for an open receiver against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2. Sam Darnold, QB (USC)

Yes, we are not quite sure what the immediate future may bring when it comes to the New York Jets’ situation at quarterback. In other words, how long will it be before we see the third overall pick in April’s draft in the starting lineup? Opinions will certainly vary from now until the summer.

But there’s little doubt that the New York Jets got themselves a quality prospect in USC’s Sam Darnold. Amazingly, it marks the first time since 2009 that the organization opted to use a first-round pick on any offensive player. Ironically, that last occasion resulted in the team taking another Southern Cal Trojan sign-caller in Mark Sanchez.

Quarterbacking has been a team weakness these past two seasons. Flashback to 2015, when Ryan Fitzpatrick set a franchise record for touchdown passes in the season, wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker put up big-time numbers in the ground game was ranked 10th in the NFL. That year, Todd Bowles’ 10-6 team scored 387 points (24.2 average) and totaled 44 offensive touchdowns.

Over the course in the last two years, it’s been quite the opposite. The club has combined for 573 points (17.9 average) and a mere 58 offensive touchdowns in 32 outings. Whether it was Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty in 2016 or veteran Josh McCown and Petty this past year, it’s added up to 35 touchdown passes, 37 interceptions and six lost fumbles by this position since 2016.

Those turnover issues were something that Darnold dealt with in his final two seasons in school. There were 57 touchdown passes accompanied by 22 interceptions and 14 lost fumbles (courtesy of Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com) in 27 games with the Trojans. And it’s those concerns about ball security that at the time, prevents the young talent from grabbing the top spot here. Hence…

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