The New York Jets, having made an expensive trade up to No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, are reportedly putting Josh Rosen through a private workout.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports the workout is taking place Thursday, one day after the team’s brass watched Sam Darnold ace his pro day in the rain at USC. Following that visit, the team will travel to Wyoming for a private workout with Josh Allen, followed by a trip to Oklahoma for a visit with Baker Mayfield.
He also reports the Jets believe Darnold will be the No. 1 overall pick of the draft, which seems to be the overwhelming consensus right now.
There’s been some buzz surrounding the idea that, if he’s available at No. 3, the Jets could take running back Saquon Barkley. But that’s just crazy talk. There is no way the team would have given up what it did to move up three spots in the draft for a running back.
With Darnold all but locked up for the top spot, Gang Green is doing its due diligence to figure out which of the other top quarterbacks will fit in best. It’s a process that will likely make or break this franchise for a while, so it’s imperative that the Jets get it right this time around.
Whichever rookie ends up being drafted No. 3 overall will have veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to glean from, at least for one year. So the pressure to start right away won’t be there, and the resources to learn quickly will be extremely beneficial.
Personally, if it were up to me, I’d roll with Rosen at No. 3. He’s the most naturally gifted passer in this year’s draft. He also has the toughness to endure the New York media, along with everything that goes with playing in the Big Apple.