By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Even though the Jets just signed Josh McCown and also have Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty on their roster, they could still select a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft. Let's rank their options (from worst to best), including Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, and DeShone Kizer. There is a strong possibility all of these quarterbacks will be available for the Jets when they draft at No. 6.
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Brad Kaaya, Miami
Unlikely. But the Jets would be able to get him in Round 3 or 4, if they really wanted to do that. It would be a curious move, considering they just took Hackenberg in Round 2 last year. Kaaya is far from a sure thing.
Brad Kaaya's 2016 stats
3,532 yards
27 touchdowns
7 interceptions
Brad Kaaya's scouting report
From NFL.com: "Groomed to be a quarterback from an early age, Kaaya flashes the mechanics and intelligence of a player who has spent hours in quarterback camps. However, he can be too mechanical and thinks too much rather than just flowing and responding to what the field offers him. Kaaya could have used another year of college, but he has the tools and intangibles to become an NFL starter. While he can work around his average arm strength, he must improve his accuracy and anticipation if he is to make a mark in the NFL."
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Brad Kaaya's film
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Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh
Another mid-round possibility. Don't bet on it. He has good size, at 226 pounds. He probably just isn't a good enough prospect in a year with a weak quarterback pool of draft prospects.
Nathan Peterman's 2016 stats
2,855 yards
27 touchdowns
7 interceptions
Nathan Peterman's scouting report
From NFL.com: "Peterman's experience in a pro-style passing attack gives him a head start headed into the league. His physical attributes are just average, but his accuracy, composure and anticipation are what sets him apart from some of the more physically gifted quarterbacks in this year's draft. Peterman's tape is sure to catch the eye of at least a few teams in need of a quarterback and he should come off the board by day two with a chance to become a solid starting quarterback in the future."
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Nathan Peterman's film
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Davis Webb, California
The concern with him: Is he just a system guy? He has the physical tools (6-foot-5, 229 pounds), but how will he adjust to an NFL offense? Those questions are why he is projected to go in Round 2 or 3.
Davis Webb's 2016 stats
4,295 yards
37 touchdowns
12 interceptions
Davis Webb's scouting report
From NFL.com: "System quarterback with more than 65 percent of his attempts coming inside of 10 yards. Webb has enough raw talent to be considered a developmental prospect, but his decision-making and accuracy issues beyond 10 yards is a big red flag that might be tough to overcome in the NFL."
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Davis Webb's film
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Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech
Fascinating prospect. Put up monster numbers, but no quarterback has successfully transitioned from the Air Raid-style offense that Texas Tech runs to the NFL. He is projected as a late first-round or second-round pick. The Jets could take a shot at him if they trade back in the first round. It would be a risk.
Patrick Mahomes' 2016 stats
5,052 yards
41 touchdowns
10 interceptions
Patrick Mahomes' scouting report
From NFL.com: "Mahomes is a big, confident quarterback who brings a variety of physical tools to the party, but he's developed some bad habits and doesn't have a very repeatable process as a passer. Mahomes' ability to improvise and extend plays can lead to big plays for his offense, but he will have to prove he can operate with better anticipation and be willing to take what the defense gives him in order to win from the pocket. Mahomes will be a work in progress, but he's a high ceiling, low floor prospect."
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Patrick Mahomes' film
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DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
His draft stock has fallen lately, as he didn't exactly excel at the NFL Scouting Combine. Some analysts believe he will fall out of the first round entirely. Do the Jets really want to take a guy with this many question marks, especially at No. 6? They surely wouldn't take him there, would they?
DeShone Kizer's 2016 stats
2,925 yards
26 touchdowns
9 interceptions
DeShone Kizer's scouting report
From NFL.com: "The comparison to Steve McNair could raise eyebrows, but that is based primarily on size, mobility and arm strength. The aforementioned traits often land a quarterback in the first round, but Kizer's second-half drop in production combined with inconsistent decision-making and accuracy should be a speed bump for teams ready to jump in head-first on the traits. Kizer has the ability to become a quality starter, but has to improve his ball placement and field vision first."
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DeShone Kizer's film
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Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Since it looks like none of the first five teams this year will draft a quarterback, Watson and Mitch Trubisky are probably going to be the Jets' best options at No. 6. Nobody would blame the Jets if they took either player there. Watson was a winner throughout his time at Clemson, and just won a national title.
Deshaun Watson's 2016 stats
4,593 yards
41 touchdowns
17 interceptions
Deshaun Watson's scouting report
From NFL.com: "Teams will have to weigh the inconsistent field vision and decision-making against his size, athleticism, leadership and production. While not perfect, teams can add checks to both arm and accuracy boxes for Watson. However, discussions about whether or not his areas of improvement can be corrected will likely determine whether a team will view him as a high-upside prospect or a franchise quarterback. Watson's transition from Clemson's offense to a pro-style attack will obviously take time, but his combination of intangibles and athletic ability make him worth a first-round selection."
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Deshaun Watson's film
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Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
It's probably a toss-up between Watson and Trubisky for this year's best quarterback prospect. Again, there are no sure-thing franchise quarterbacks in this draft. The issue with Trubisky is he really has just one year of starting experience. But he is a prototypical pocket passer for the NFL, in terms of his build and assets. The Jets are evaluating him. Presuming he is there for them at No. 6, would they select him?
Mitch Trubisky's 2016 stats
3,748 yards
30 touchdowns
6 interceptions
Mitch Trubisky's scouting report
From NFL.com: "Trubisky is a high-end quarterback prospect who possesses NFL size, a big arm and the ability to throw with accuracy from the pocket or on the move. Despite playing in a spread-based offense, he's a full-field reader who does a very good job of getting an early read on the safeties before crafting his course of action. Trubisky will have to become much more pocket aware and do a better job of recognizing and attacking blitzes to back NFL defensive coordinators off. He hasn't put all the pieces together yet, but the puzzle is all right in front. Trubisky projects as a good starting quarterback with a high floor and the potential to be great."
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Mitch Trubisky's film
Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
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