Head coach Todd Bowles continues to say what everyone is thinking. The New York Jets coach told the media that he would like to add another quarterback to the mix and the franchise will certainly look at all options for that need. According to Sports Illustrated, that need will be met by Marcus Mariota in the draft as Bowles hints a trade up could be an option moving forward.
"We want competition at every position," Bowles said, via SI.com. "Ryan is going to compete, as well as Geno is going to compete, and we hope to add somebody else to compete with them, along with [Matt] Simms."
The Jets make their first pick at No. 6 in the NFL Draft and it has been highly speculated they will trade up to acquire Mariota. Right now, the Jets have Geno Smith entering as the starting quarterback while having Ryan Fitzpatrick who was acquired via a trade from the Houston Texans and is currently recovering from a broken leg. Bowles named Smith the starter by default, but continues to hint there will be competition at the position. General manager Mike Maccagnan made it clear that the team will not shy away from a move up the boards.
"Sitting at six is a very good spot to be in," Maccagnan said. "It does allow us the potential to move up in the draft because we're not far from the first pick."
Getting Mariota could mean jumping up as high as No. 2 on the boards as the Tennessee Titans continue to look at Mariota as an option too. The Jets must decide how much they are willing to give up and just how committed they are to Smith and his potential future. Getting the former Oregon star will not be an easy task, but if the Jets are convinced that he is their guy for the future, the move is worth it.
The Jets could eye other trade options if they want a quarterback early. The team could attempt to pry away Sam Bradford from the Eagles. The Cleveland Browns are currently weighing the options of trading their first-round pick for the quarterback according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer and New York could do the same. Is Bradford worth it? Quarterbacks like Mike Glennon and Kirk Cousins would be cheaper, potentially only worth a mid-round pick. The Jets could also stay put and wait for Philip Rivers, Robert Griffin III or even Drew Brees in 2016. A player will be added to the rotation, it just remains to be seen who and at what level they are at.
