The former GM in Mike Tannenbaum believes Joe Douglas was both happy that the Jets finally won their first game against the Rams last Sunday and was aware that the win likely cost him the chance to take on blue-chip Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. to set.
According to Tannenbaum, the intrigue of the Jets’ last two games – and then the months leading up to the 2021 draft – will be whether or not they decide to stick with former first-round pick Sam Darnold for the position.
Asked earlier this week on The Post’s “Gang’s All Here” podcast what he would do if the Jets finished second in the draft, Tannenbaum – who served GM of the team for seven seasons between 2006-12 – made it sound like when he’s not convinced Darnold is the long-term answer at quarterback.
Well, I’m a little disappointed that since Sam Darnold has been in the NFL, he’s had 44 sales. That’s the sixth of any quarterback in that period, ”Tannenbaum said. “It’s hard to win and have durability when your quarterback turns it around. I think the next few weeks are important [for him]. “
The Jets would have to lose and let Jacksonville win at least one of the remaining two games against playoff-battling Chicago and Indianapolis to reclaim the No. 1 slot. The Jets also took no worse than second pick in the draft when Cincinnati (3-10-1) upset Pittsburgh Monday-evening.
BYU’s Zach Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields are expected to be in the next group of quarterbacks after Lawrence.
Tannenbaum, who was also Miami’s Executive VP of Football Operations from 2015-18, also brought up some very well-designed former NFL starters who now serve as veteran backups in the league as a potential emergency stop if the Jets add another quarterback to the draft – either second overalls or via trading down.
‘I wouldn’t stop looking at anyone [Las Vegas’] Marcus Mariota or [New Orleans’] Jameis Winston and then look at the design too, ”said Tannenbaum. “The problem is you don’t get the design capital you would get in previous years.
“I think those evaluations are going to be all over the place, so while you may be able to trade out of the second choice if you want to keep Sam Darnold, you’re not going to get this huge amount of choices.”