If Jets general manager Joe Douglas does not negotiate quarterback Sam Darnold during this off-season, Darnold will likely be a free agent pending in 2021.
That’s because Douglas is unlikely to exercise Darnold’s fifth year option for 2022. And if Darnold fights again in 2021 – the fourth and final year of his rookie contract – Douglas may be thinking about choosing a quarterback in the NFL’s 2022 Draft.
Here is an initial summary of nine possible targets, with their class of 2021 listed:
Sam Howell, North Carolina, junior third year (6-1, 225 pounds)
At this first moment, he is widely considered the best defender of 2022. Over two seasons, he has 68 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. A potential problem: it is a little short, which some NFL teams may not like. But the guy can play. This is very clear.
Kedon Slovis, USC, junior third year (6-3, 215 pounds)
Like Howell, he had a dominant freshman season in 2019 – 30 touchdowns, nine interceptions. Last season, in six games, he had 17 touchdowns and seven choices. If Howell is the (very early) No. 1 quarterback of the NFL’s 2022 Draft, Slovis is right there in the mix for second place, with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, third year student (6-1, 205 pounds)
First, what a great name. He resigned in 2019, so he only has a full season of college experience. And he is not that big. Rattler had 28 touchdowns and seven choices in 11 games last season. Let’s see if he can develop this in 2021. Maybe he will go back to school in 2022.
Tyler Shough, Texas Tech, fourth year junior (6-5, 221 pounds)
He just moved from Oregon to Texas Tech, after replacing Justin Herbert at Eugene. Shough changed positions in 2018 and supported Herbert in 2019. Shough started 2020 as a starter, but Oregon transitioned to Anthony Brown, a transfer to Boston College. Shough last season had 13 touchdowns and six choices in seven games. He will be immediately eligible for Texas Tech in 2021. Shough has a prototypical NFL quarterback structure.
Jayden Daniels, Arizona, junior junior year (6-3, 185 pounds)
While Howell, Slovis, Rattler and Shough are probably the top four defenders to watch now, another or two defenders could significantly increase their draft inventory in 2021. Daniels plays for former Jets coach Herm Edwards in Arizona State. He started on Day 1 of 2019, when he had 17 touchdowns and two choices. In 2020, he had five touchdowns and a choice in four games. NFL teams may want him to get a little stronger.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville, fifth year of last year (6-1, 200 pounds)
He will likely have three seasons of initial experience by the time next year’s draft arrives. So there will be many films for NFL scouts to evaluate. Some teams like to have a commodity known as a defender. But Cunningham’s 2020 season (20 touchdowns, 12 choices) was not as strong as 2019 (22 touchdowns, five choices).
Grant Gunnell, Memphis, junior third year (6-6 pounds, 228 pounds)
He just moved from Arizona. He has only one season of experience as a full-time starter in 2020. He is NFL size. This is obvious. But he doesn’t have an extensive track record – 12 college games played, with 15 touchdowns and two choices. There is still a lot to prove.
Michael Penix Jr., Indiana, fourth year junior (6-3, 218 pounds)
Injuries have been a problem for him, although it remains an intriguing prospect. He tore his ACL in 2018 when it was redshirted. He entered 2019 as a starter, but was limited to six games due to a clavicle injury. In six games last season, he had 14 touchdowns and four choices, and then tore his ACL in late November. A ton of questions here. Let’s see what 2021 brings to Penix.
Jack Coan, Notre Dame, fifth year of last year (6-3, 221 pounds)
He just moved from Wisconsin, where he started a full season (2019) and then lost 2020 due to a foot injury. In 2019, he had 18 touchdowns and five choices. With Ian Book’s departure from Notre Dame, Coan will have a chance to start in 2021 and improve his draft stock. But Coan clearly still has a lot to prove. Definitely, a wildcard perspective at this point. Coan attended high school in Sayville, NY, on Long Island.
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