The Geno Smith era has not gone down smoothly. No, 30 games and 44 total turnovers later and it's becoming pretty clear that Smith is not the long-term answer. And that's a shame because this New York Jets team is very interesting.
New general manager Mike Macagnan fixed the team's biggest defensive need by snaring cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in free agency for a Big Apple reunion this offseason. The additions of Brandon Marshall, Stevan Ridley and Leonard Williams don't hurt either. All in all, first-year head coach Todd Bowles has a lot of talent to work with, except under center where Smith and veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick will compete for the starting gig. But that could all change next year.
ESPN and Football Outsiders project the Jets to go 6-10 this year and receive the No. 7 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Obviously, this is a very early projection and New York could surpass it with ease. But should it come true, ESPN Insider Todd McShay has the Jets taking Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones.
"First he has to win the Buckeyes' starting job in 2015," McShay wrote. "But if he can gain more experience and improve his ability to read defenses and take care of the football, he has the potential to rise up teams' draft boards. He has a big, strong frame and the arm strength to easily drive the football down the field."
Jones famously filled in for injured quarterbacks Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett last year, winning the Big 10 Championship, Sugar Bowl and National Championship in his only three starts. Overall, he threw for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also rushed for 296 yards and one touchdown.
Due to Jones' big frame (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and unique pocket mobility, he has drawn favorable comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco. Should he win the starting gig and follow up his scintillating start with a strong season, it would be easy to see him graded as a first-round quarterback. That's good news for the Jets who have endured six combined years of Mark Sanchez and Smith.
Only time will tell if Jones can live up to the hype.
