The Jets quarterback’s plan focused more on Friday through developments in Utah, California and Pennsylvania.
A Jets contingent of general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur chased BYU quarterback Zach Wilson over an interior house in Provo, Utah, as part of the school’s professional day. Wilson is the favorite to be the no. 2 by the team and did nothing to change this perception in his throwing session.
The bigger stories came from what other teams in the quarterback market did on Friday afternoon. First, the 49ers traded with the Dolphins to move up to No. 3 in next month’s NFL Draft 2021. The assumption is that the 49ers are heading for a quarterback’s project.
ESPN reported that the 49ers and Jets did not participate in any commercial discussions, but this may be due to the fact that the 49ers already knew the Jets were ready to take Wilson.
The 49ers and Jets also have close ties to their coaching staff, with Saleh and LaFleur coming from the 49ers. The 49ers are likely to know what the Jets think at No. 2 and have made the deal knowing what quarterbacks will be available at No. 3. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is expected to be ranked No. 1 overall by the Jaguars. Urban Meyer did not attend Wilson’s business day, another indication that Lawrence is Jacksonville’s type.
The other deal that happened on Friday was the Eagles returning from No. 6 to No. 12 in a deal with the Dolphins, who shipped a pick they had just received from San Francisco to Philadelphia. The NFL reported that the Eagles were interested in going for 3rd place, but only for Wilson. Their decision to return then indicates that they know Wilson will be taken in 2nd place. Douglas worked for the Eagles for three years before being hired by the Jets.
All of these point connections lead to one conclusion: The Jets will pass Wilson No. 2 overall next month and change Sam Darnold, except for something unexpected.
The jets received their first personal look at Wilson on Friday. He threw about 70 passes during the session and did not disappoint. He made some nice throws, one that stood out was a deep pass to his right as he rolled to the left, which showed remarkable arm strength.
“Today’s goal was to show what makes me different, the types of throws I can make that I feel other guys don’t practice and don’t try and don’t do,” Wilson said in a Zoom after interview. “That was the goal today to show what makes me different.”
The NFL network chatted with Wilson and Douglas after his pitching session. Wilson said he has already spoken to the Jets through Zoom and likes the staff.
“Great staff, love those guys. Joe Douglas is a great guy, “said Wilson. “It was good to see him here. They have a good thing. My Zoom interactions with them were like any other team, just trying to get through and just trying to pick your brain, see what you are about, how you process things and all sorts of things. Was well. ”
Wilson said he has family in the New York area and has been here several times. He said he would be happy to join any team that designs him.
Wilson came out of a monster 2020 season when he threw 33 touchdowns and only three interceptions. There are questions about the level of competition he has faced and why his statistics have not been better in the last two years.
The 21-year-old did not do any professional exercise because he said he changed a basket a few weeks ago. The teams were not there to see him running on 40 yards. They wanted to see him throw and he looked good.
“Something I feel separates me is just my passion for the game,” Wilson said. “I really spend a lot of time doing what I do. Over the years and other things, I have just dedicated my life to football. It’s crazy to know when people try to ask me what I’m doing outside of football, football is really my life. It’s like everything I have is happening. ”