As at all times, varied rumors have been floating round through the NFL Scouting Mix final week.
One little bit of gossip that was heard round league circles is that the Jets are presumably curious about buying and selling up with No.1 with the Titans to pick out Miami quarterback Cam Ward.
Throughout his availability final week, Jets basic supervisor Darren Mougey did nothing to dispel any of these rumors.
“We’re going to be open to potentially moving up for a player or moving back,” Mougey mentioned.
Nonetheless, it’s exhausting to think about the Jets would transfer all the best way to No. 1 to pick out Ward. That would at all times change relying on what occurs throughout free company, which begins on March 12.
Ward, 22, is by far the very best quarterback on this yr’s draft. He didn’t throw throughout final week’s mix however will throughout Miami’s Professional Day on March 24. Throughout his solely season with the Hurricanes, Ward completed fourth within the Heisman Voting after passing for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
What stands out about Ward is his arm expertise. He could make each throw on the NFL stage. Ward additionally has a coolness and poise about him, which is uncommon for a quarterback his age.
If the Jets take into account shifting as much as No. 1, it could price them loads. Simply two years in the past, the Panthers traded their 2023 No. 9 decide, a 2023 second-round decide, a 2024 first-round choice, a 2025 second-round decide, and vast receiver D.J. Moore to the Bears to pick out Bryce Younger.
Until they determine to throw in a longtime participant, the Jets would want to surrender much more to acquire the highest decide. Gang Inexperienced might have to surrender three first-round picks and extra compensation to get Ward. The extra possible situation is the Jets drafting a quarterback on both Day 2 or 3 to pair with Tyrod Taylor and one other veteran quarterback.
The 2025 NFL Draft is among the weaker quarterback courses in current reminiscence. However after speaking with sources, just a few quarterbacks turned heads through the mix.
Gang Inexperienced has been linked to Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and he was one of many gamers in Indianapolis who helped himself probably the most. Dart had an unbelievable throwing drill session after displaying his accuracy on brief and deep passes. Dart additionally had an incredible Senior Bowl in January, which may assist him enter the highest 15 territory.
If the Jets discover shifting again within the first spherical, Dart would make loads of sense. Different quarterbacks that stood out through the mix embrace Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, and Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard.
Doesn’t seem extensions are coming for Gardner and Wilson…but
The 2022 draft class is now eligible for contract extensions. The Jets have two stars: cornerback Sauce Gardner and vast receiver Garrett Wilson, who the group shall be smart to maintain in the long run.
Nevertheless it may very well be a while earlier than the Jets are prepared to take action. Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn have a number of choices to make in an anticipated busy offseason.
“I’m just excited those guys are on the roster,” Mougey mentioned about Gardner and Wilson. “Two young good players, talented players, excited they’re part of the roster. The to-do list is to keep good young players on the team and add good players.”
Gardner and Wilson definitely deserve contract extensions. Throughout his first three seasons within the league, Gardner is already among the best cornerbacks within the NFL. He has already been named a two-time All-Professional, a two-time Professional Bowler and was the Defensive Rookie of the 12 months in 2022.
Wilson doesn’t have Gardner’s accolades however was named the league’s 2022 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. Throughout his first three seasons, Wilson has caught 279 passes for 3,249 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Gang Inexperienced has the fifth-year possibility safety on each Gardner and Wilson, which they are going to possible train by the Could deadline. Nonetheless, they’d be smart to lock up Gardner and Wilson sooner fairly than later.
The NFL’s wage cap continues to rise and this yr, it ballooned to $279.2 million per group. If the Jets pays each Gardner and Wilson, by the point the 2 gamers begin receiving their pay will increase, the wage cap will rise a lot that it could assist the group sooner or later.
The longer the Jets wait to pay their high gamers, the more severe off it may probably be. A primary instance is the Bengals, after they waited to pay vast receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, together with move rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Cincinnati should now discover a strategy to maintain all three gamers pleased. Higgins is ready to turn into a free agent, and Chase and Hendrickson are within the last yr of their contracts. I believe the Jets will finally maintain Gardner and Wilson long-term, however they need to be taught from the Bengals’ present scenario.
Jets curious about re-signing Sherwood
The Jets will face loads of competitors to re-sign linebacker Jamien Sherwood, however the group is curious about bringing the 2024 main tackler again long-term.
Sherwood shall be a free agent on March 12, and the Falcons, Panthers, and Seahawks are additionally groups that may very well be , in accordance with sources. New England has additionally mentioned Sherwood becoming a member of the Patriots, in accordance with sources.
With former Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich now having the identical function with the Falcons, it could make sense that the group could be curious about Sherwood. In 17 video games, Sherwood completed with 158 tackles and two sacks in his first full season as a starter, after C.J. Mosley (toe, neck) was out most of final season.
