NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter: Jets should follow Giants' blueprint, select linebacker then quarterback
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. Credit: Getty Images/Luke Hales; John Fisher
NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter believes the Jets could follow a similar blueprint in the first round of this year’s draft as the Giants did last year.
The Giants took edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick and traded into the first round to draft quarterback Jaxson Dart at 25.
The Jets have the No. 2 and No. 16 picks in the first round. Reuter said they should take versatile Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and then Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the middle of the round.
“Simpson should be the pick at 16 if he’s available,” Reuter told Newsday. “Similar to the Giants last year, the Jets get edge/linebacker Arvell Reese at 2 and get their potential quarterback later in the first.”
Reuter, who has worked at the NFL Network and NFL.com since 2011, has that pairing for the Jets in his most recent mock draft. Reuter said Simpson might not be there at 16 depending on what the Cardinals and Dolphins do.
Arizona is expected to move on from quarterback Kyler Murray and Miami from Tua Tagovailoa. The Cardinals pick third, which is likely too high to grab Simpson. The Dolphins could consider him at 11.
Perhaps the only given is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza going first overall to the Raiders. With four of the top 44 picks this year and three 2027 first-rounders, Jets general manager Darren Mougey has to call the Raiders to see if there is any way he can entice them to swap picks.
Only the Jets could lose 14 games and still finish with the No. 2 pick in a draft that has one consensus franchise quarterback in Mendoza.
“This is not a great year for quarterbacks,” Reuter said. “I expect Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson to be the only two first-round picks.”
Simpson is Reuter’s No. 2-rated quarterback even if Trinidad Chambliss is in the draft. He is in a legal battle to try and get another year of eligibility at Ole Miss. Chambliss would at least give the Jets another quarterback to consider if he’s forced to enter the draft.
Reuter said Chambliss has “starter potential” and believes he “grew as a passer,” but Simpson is the better option.
“Simpson lacks ideal size, but has the arm, mobility and poise to be an NFL starter,” Reuter said of the 6-2, 208-pound quarterback. “He’s a coach’s son who spent four years at a high-level program at Alabama.”
Quarterback is the glaring need, but the Jets also have holes at wide receiver, cornerback, safety and across the defensive line. Barring any trades, Reuter said a good early draft haul for the Jets would be Reese, Simpson and Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun and Georgia receiver Zachariah Branch in Round 2.
Reuter thinks if the Jets don’t draft a quarterback on Day 1, they “should wait until Round 3 or 4 to get the best value instead of reaching.”
The Jets currently don’t have a third-round pick, but if Mougey isn’t sold on Simpson at 16, it makes sense to wait until Day 2 or 3 to take Carson Beck, Drew Allar or Garrett Nussmeier. In that scenario, the Jets could take a receiver or defensive back at 16.
“With the assets we have moving forward, the draft capital, the cap space,” Mougey said, “I know we're going to continue to build and add good players to the team that are going to help us win.”
It’s doubtful that the Jets will entrust a rookie not named Mendoza to lead this offense. This will be a critical year for coach Aaron Glenn’s job security. The Jets will likely sign and/or trade for a veteran quarterback who they believe can help them win games after last year's Justin Fields signing didn't work out.
The Jets could be somewhat patient in this draft and wait until next year to take a potential franchise quarterback in a class that could include Arch Manning, Julian Sayin and Dante Moore.
“I think there could be more elite talent at the position next year,” Reuter said.
The Jets still should draft a quarterback this year and see if new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave and passing game coordinator Seth Ryan can develop him. That hasn’t been a strength of this franchise, where patience has often been a dirty word.
Some quarterbacks need time to hit their stride. Just look at former Jets quarterback and new Super Bowl champion Sam Darnold.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
