The New York Jets could be one team to watch in terms of trading up for a quarterback in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini believes the Jets would “consider” a move up, especially if a quarterback—such as Jared Goff of California—somehow started slipping down the draft board.
There’s interest from New York’s side.
According to Mike Silver of NFL Network, Goff—who is widely considered one of the top two quarterbacks in this year’s draft—will take an official visit with the Jets at some point this week.
Jared Goff will visit the Saints, Eagles and Jets this week… @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 11, 2016
The Jets remain in limbo at the quarterback position. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t signed an extension to return to New York, former second-round pick Geno Smith is entering the final year of his rookie contract and Bryce Petty—a fourth-rounder last year—probably isn’t ready to be anything more than a backup.
Fitzpatrick returning to New York is still the most likely end scenario, but the Jets could eventually pass on his asking price and decide to focus on grooming the future at quarterback with a player like Goff or Paxton Lynch of Memphis.
While Fitzpatrick threw 31 touchdown passes last season, he’ll turn 34 in November, and his career passer rating is only 80.8. Smith has a 72.3 passer rating over 29 career starts.
The Jets will also meet with Lynch and Christian Hackenberg of Penn State, per Cimini.
It’s possible the Jets are using their visits with several of the top quarterbacks to prepare for a scenario in which one falls into their lap in the first round. It could also be a subtle hint to Fitzpatrick that the franchise is ready to move on with a younger group at quarterback, with a top rookie serving as the future.
Either way, the Jets look like a team to watch in the first round, especially with defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson available to use in any deal to trade up from No. 20 overall.