There is at least one voice that goes against the grain in the possible pursuit of Deshaun Watson by the Jets.
While the general consensus is that acting for Watson would be a franchise-changing move for the Jets, a prominent analyst suggested that the Texas star quarterback may be only “slightly better” than what the Jets already have in Sam Darnold.
‘It just doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t think you’ll get a massive upgrade, ”ESPN analyst Todd McShay said on the network’s ‘First Draft’ podcast last week. ‘When I’m the Jets sitting on number 2, I say, you know what? I like Deshaun. He’s a really good player. I might even think he’s slightly better than Sam. But if Sam’s content and Sam want to help us build this thing, we have pick two and 23 in the first round this year; 34, 66 and 87. So five tips in the first 87. That should be at least four starters you get there and two really impactful starters with that second and 23rd overall choice.
“And besides, we have two first-rounder next year, a first-rounder in the second and a first-rounder in the third. So you’re talking about four first rounders, two second rounders and three third rounders. Add that up. I mean, you build half of a grid on that in the next two versions. “
McShay further noted that the Jets could get even more design capital if they stick with Darnold and trade the No. 2 pick for a quarterback needy team. He also pointed out that the Jets can go a long way in helping Darnold by bolstering the line of attack, adding a groundbreaking wide receiver and a young running back, plus giving him a strong defense.
All of that would certainly help 23-year-old Darnold, but it still wouldn’t put him in Watson’s stratosphere. While Darnold has shown flashes of what he could be during his first three seasons in the NFL, Watson, 25, has consistently proven to the star that he is four seasons long.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Watson completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions as he rushed for 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns. In 16 games less in the regular season, Darnold completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions while rushing for 417 yards and five touchdowns.
“Sure, Sam has a job to do as a quarterback and he’s still making some young mistakes. But I would much rather have all this concept capital than make a deal that I give up some of these choices to get a Deshaun Watson or buy Sam and bring in a rookie quarterback in Justin Fields who was inconsistent McShay said.