The New York Jets reportedly want to trade up to the No. 2 spot in the 2015 NFL draft for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. If the Tennessee Titans' asking price for the spot is too steep, however, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper believes the Jets' plan B is to select Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff.
New York doesn't have a franchise quarterback, and a number of NFL writers - mostly from ESPN - believe first-year Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan will try to trade up for Mariota. The latest report, one from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper, indicates acquiring Mariota is still the Jets' No. 1 goal if the asking price is feasible.
"If Mariota is here I think that's the direction the Jets go," Kiper wrote in his mock draft Thursday. "And while I can certainly see this team moving up to No. 2, as I noted above, we know the price is going to be steep, and it might simply be too high a cost."
At this point it seems a given Mariota will be off the board after the second pick. There're a number of teams - the San Diego Chargers, the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins - reportedly interested in Mariota, meaning the Jets will have competition and the Titans will have the pick of the litter in terms of offers.
If Maccagnan can't afford Tennessee's asking price, Kiper believes the Jets second choice is to use their No. 6 pick on Scherff.
"I know this is a possible fit for a pass-rusher as well, but the Scherff pick also makes a lot of sense if you look at the improvements they've made on defense and the improvements they still need to make on offense," Kiper wrote. "... The new threats in the passing game are nice, but given the QB options on the roster, this team needs to be able to run the ball.
"Scherff is a possible starter immediately at right tackle, and is a clear upgrade at either guard spot. It might not be exciting for the fans, but for immediate impact this could be the best pick to make."
Scherff is considered the best offensive lineman available in the draft, with both Kiper and ESPN analyst Todd McShay predicting him to be the first O-lineman off the board.
