New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas was not short of options this offseason.
Armed with overall No. 2 choice in the NFL’s 2021 Draft, he may decide to select one of the best quarterbacks on the board and put an end to the Sam Darnold era.
It was only three years ago that the Jets selected Darnold with the number 3 choice in the 2018 NFL Draft.
But with names like BYU’s Zach Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields available (assuming the Jacksonville Jaguars select Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence first), Douglas may decide he saw Darnold more than enough.
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During a roundtable discussion about the NFL off-season, four ESPN experts predict that the Jets will switch from Darnold to the Washington Football Team.
John Keim, Washington Football Team reporter: It is difficult to see Washington mortgaging what it would take to obtain Deshaun Watson. It’s hard to imagine Derek Carr going somewhere. This leaves Darnold as a possibility for exchange. When talking to some league coaches, he is what they said they would pursue if they were Washington. He is young, talented, can move, and the hope is that his problems stem from both the Jets’ situation and something else. I would not give up much for him, considering that a team has only one year to decide before its option goes into action, and its production does not deserve much. But it is worth a try.
Jeremy Fowler, national editor of the NFL: Darnold has untapped potential, mobility and a modest negotiation price if the Jets find their future quarterback overall or through a big Watson game. And let’s not rule out Smith, who led Washington to a 5-2 record in the home stretch.
Jason Reid, the undefeated senior NFL writer: As a former USC student, I would like to see Darnold start over in a good environment. … Washington qualifies as one. Finally, the franchise appears to have stability in both football and commercial operations. With Washington, Darnold would have at least a chance to prove whether it was him or the Jets (history tells us it was probably the Jets). To acquire Darnold, Washington will not be required to offer anything close to the capital of the project that it took for the Rams to obtain Matthew Stafford. Washington and Darnold make a lot of sense.
Kevin Seifert, national NFL writer: Sam Darnold. Owner Daniel Snyder has always pushed for renowned players in this position, and I believe Snyder is allowing his football leaders to make football decisions when I see this really happening in a high profile situation.
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