There is at least one voice going against the grain in the potential Jets search for Deshaun Watson.
While the general consensus is that negotiating with Watson would be a franchise move for the Jets, a prominent analyst suggested that the Texas star quarterback may be only “slightly better” than what the Jets already have in Sam Darnold.
“For me, it just doesn’t make sense. I don’t think you’re getting a big update, ”said ESPN analyst Todd McShay last week on the network’s“ First Draft ”podcast. “If I’m Jets sitting at number 2, I’m saying, you know what? I love Deshaun. He’s a very good player. I may even think that he is a little better than Sam. But if Sam is satisfied and he wants to help us build that, we have choices two and 23 in the first round of this year; 34, 66 and 87. So, five choices in the first 87. There should be at least four initial options that you are getting and two options that really impact that second and 23rd overall choice.
“And then, by the way, we have two players in the first round next year, one in the first round in the second and one in the first round in the third. So, you’re talking about four players from the first round, two from the second round and three from the third round. Tell that. I mean, you are building half a list right there in the next two drafts. “
McShay continued, noting that the Jets could get even more draft capital if they stick with Darnold and swap choice number 2 for a lacking quarterback team. He also pointed out that the Jets could help Darnold a lot, reinforcing the offensive line, adding a game-changing wide receiver and a young running back, in addition to giving him a strong defense.
All of this would certainly help 23-year-old Darnold, but it may not yet put him in Watson’s stratosphere. While Darnold showed flashes of what he could be in his first three seasons in the NFL, Watson, 25, has consistently proved the star that he is for four seasons.
Watson, three times Pro Bowler, completed 67.8% of his passes for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions, while running for 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns. In less than 16 games in the regular season, Darnold completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions, while running for 417 yards and five touchdowns.
“Certainly, Sam has work to do as a defender and still makes some youth mistakes. But I would much rather have all of that draft capital than make a deal that I’m giving up some of those choices to go get a Deshaun Watson or negotiate with Sam and bring in a new quarterback in Justin Fields, who was inconsistent, ”said McShay.