By BRIAN COSTELLO
In the days leading up to the NFL Draft on April 25, we will examine the draft position-by-position through the eyes of the Jets. We begin today with a look at quarterbacks. Coming tomorrow: running backs.
Losses from last year:
Brett Favre – The one-year experiment ended in failure with horrid play down the stretch. He retired after completing 343-of-522 passes for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions last year.
Who’s on the roster:
Kellen Clemens – He remains an unknown entering his fourth year with the team. The 25-year-old has seen limited action behind Chad Pennington and Favre. His most extensive time came in 2007 when he started eight games, but it is hard to judge him on those games because the offensive line was woeful. The front office still believes in Clemens, so he’ll have a very good shot at winning the job in training camp.
Brett Ratliff – The second-year man from Utah has never played in a regular-season game. He had a memorable performance in the preseason last year, and is a favorite of several members of the Jets coaching staff. Some of his teammates have privately stated they’d like to see what he can do if given the starter’s job.
Erik Ainge – Second-year man from Tennessee is a monster long shot to get the starting job.
Best in the draft:
Matthew Stafford – Could go No. 1 overall. He visited the Jets last week, but it would be surprising if he’s still around after the first five picks. The Georgia junior has a strong arm but is inconsistent.
Mark Sanchez – The USC junior has all the physical tools any team would look for. The question with him is his body of work. He started just 16 games in college and even coach Pete Carroll questioned his readiness for the NFL.
Josh Freeman – At 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds with a cannon for an arm, Freeman makes scouts drool. His inconsistency and decision-making drop him below the other two quarterbacks but he’ll be grabbed by someone in the first round.
Late round sleepers:
Rhett Bomar – He began his career at Oklahoma, and has the tools to be a big-time quarterback. He ended up at Sam Houston State after getting kicked out of Oklahoma after allegedly taking money from a booster for a no-show job. He could be available in the fourth round and could be a nice project for a team.
Brian Hoyer – The Michigan State graduate has a super-quick release and started 27 consecutive games for the Spartans. His shaky senior year is going to drop his draft position, making him a late-round steal.
The Post Plan:
I don’t think the Jets have enough ammo to trade up in this draft. They have a total of six picks in this draft, so any package will likely involve current players, something I don’t think they’ll do. If Sanchez or Stafford somehow falls all the way to 17, the Jets should grab them.
That, of course, is unlikely.
Instead the Jets should use one of their late-round picks on a quarterback that could be a project. Grab a Hoyer or Romar on the second day and give him a few years to develop. Maybe you’ll uncover a gem.
The strengths of this team are the offensive line and the running game. You don’t need a superstar at quarterback, just someone who won’t turn the ball over three times a game. Let Clemens and Ratliff battle it out in August and see who’s left standing.