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If Jets general manager Joe Douglas doesn’t trade quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason, Darnold will likely be a pending free agent in 2021.
Indeed, Douglas is unlikely to exercise Darnold’s fifth year option for 2022. And if Darnold fights again in 2021 – the fourth and final year of his rookie contract – Douglas might consider picking a quarterback – back in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Here’s a first look at nine possible targets, with their 2021 class listed:
Sam Howell, NC, junior third year (6-1, 225 pounds)
At this early stage, he’s widely regarded as the best quarterback in 2022. In two seasons, he has 68 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. One potential problem: It’s a bit short, which some NFL teams might not like. But the guy can play. This is clear.
Kedon Slovis, USC, junior third year (6-3, 215 pounds)
Like Howell, he had a real dominant freshman season in 2019 – 30 touchdowns, nine interceptions. Last season, in six games, he had 17 touchdowns and seven picks. If Howell is the (very early) No.1 quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, Slovis is there in the mix for second place, along with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, third-year student (6-1, 205 pounds)
First of all, what a great name. He has a redshirt in 2019, so he only has one full season of college experience. And he’s not that big. Rattler had 28 touchdowns and seven picks in 11 games last season. Let’s see if he can build on that in 2021. Maybe he will go back to school in 2022.
Tyler Shough, Texas Tech, junior fourth year (6-5, 221 pounds)
He just moved from Oregon to Texas Tech, after replacing Justin Herbert at Eugene. Shough donned a red shirt in 2018 and backed Herbert in 2019. Shough started 2020 as a starter, but Oregon moved on to Anthony Brown, a transfer from Boston College. Shough last season had 13 touchdowns and six picks in seven games. He will be eligible immediately for Texas Tech in 2021. Shough has a prototypical NFL quarterback cadre.
Jayden Daniels, Arizona State, junior third year (6-3, 185 pounds)
While Howell, Slovis, Rattler and Shough are probably the top four quarterbacks to watch right now, another quarterback or two could dramatically boost his 2021 draft supply. Daniels plays for former Jets coach Herm Edwards at Arizona State . He started on day one in 2019, when he had 17 touchdowns and two picks. In 2020, he had five touchdowns and one pick in four games. NFL teams might want him to strengthen himself a bit.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville, senior fifth year (6-1, 200 pounds)
He will likely have three seasons of starting experience by the time next year’s draft kicks off. So there will be plenty of movies for NFL scouts to review. Some teams like to have a known product at the quarterback. But Cunningham’s 2020 season (20 touchdowns, 12 picks) wasn’t as strong as 2019 (22 touchdowns, five picks).
Grant Gunnell, Memphis, junior third year (6-6, 228 pounds)
He just came from Arizona. He only has one season of full-time starting experience, in 2020. He’s the size of the NFL. This is obvious. But he doesn’t have a long track record – 12 college games in total, with 15 touchdowns and two picks. Still a lot to prove.
Michael Penix Jr., Indiana, junior fourth year (6-3, 218 pounds)
Injury has been a problem for him, although it remains an intriguing prospect. He tore up his ACL in 2018, when he put on a red shirt. He entered 2019 as a starter but was limited to six games due to a collarbone injury. In six games last season, he had 14 touchdowns and four picks, then tore his ACL in late November. A ton of questions here. Let’s see what 2021 brings to Penix.
Jack Coan, Notre Dame, senior fifth year (6-3, 221 pounds)
He just transferred from Wisconsin, where he started a full season (2019), and then missed the entire 2020 with a foot injury. In 2019, he had 18 touchdowns and five picks. With Ian Book departing from Notre Dame, Coan will have a chance to start in 2021 and improve his stock project. But Coan clearly still has a ton to prove. Definitely a generic perspective at this point. Coan went to high school in Sayville, NY, on Long Island.
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