Jets general manager Joe Douglas indicated last month that he’s considering selecting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft, possibly even in the early rounds. However, this sentiment about drafting a quarterback early seems more like a strategic move, potentially signaling to other general managers that the Jets are open to trading their No. 10 overall pick. With numerous teams vying for top quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, this tactic could give the Jets more flexibility in their draft day decisions.
Douglas reiterated on Friday that he’s willing to trade up in the first round of the draft, but only for the right player. He stated, “Those are the questions we’re asking ourselves… who are those players we would consider coming up from 10 to go get? How many of them are there? How far are we willing to go?” However, as the draft approaches, it’s becoming apparent that selecting a quarterback isn’t a priority for the Jets.
This decision is influenced by the presence of Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback and Tyrod Taylor as the backup. Additionally, with approximately $10 million already allocated to Zach Wilson, the Jets’ unsuccessful No. 2 overall pick in 2021, in the final year of his rookie contract, the team is eager to transform their talented roster into a playoff contender during Douglas’ fifth full season as GM.
Even if the Jets were interested in drafting a quarterback early, Douglas admitted that their trade for Aaron Rodgers last year “limits” their options to move up, as they traded their second-round pick to the Packers. However, Douglas expressed his unwavering commitment to the Rodgers trade, despite the quarterback’s injury that sidelined him for most of the 2023 season.
Any potential trade-up in the draft would likely be for coveted pass-catching weapons rather than quarterbacks. However, Douglas also hinted at another possibility that Jets fans have been advocating for: selecting a quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.
Douglas emphasized the importance of the quarterback position in sports, drawing inspiration from how the Green Bay Packers managed their quarterbacks during the 1990s. He expressed his desire to emulate the Packers’ strategy of consistently drafting quarterbacks, which allowed them to develop future starters and accumulate future picks through trades.
The Packers’ success with late-round quarterback picks, such as Mark Brunell, Matt Hasselbeck, and Aaron Brooks, demonstrates the value of investing in quarterbacks in later rounds. Despite some misses, these picks ultimately contributed to the Packers’ success, either through their performance on the field or their trade value.
Douglas sees an opportunity to replicate this success with the Jets, albeit it will depend on the team’s overall offseason strategy and draft decisions. Nonetheless, he appears committed to exploring all possibilities to strengthen the Jets’ roster and potentially cultivate a quarterback pipeline akin to the Packers’ during the Favre era.