The New York Jets are entering a new era. The Jets have already introduced a completely new regime and are set to make a change at QB. Aaron Rodgers and the Jets will move on from each other in 2025.
With New York set to look for its new QB, here are five potential college quarterbacks that could be Aaron Rodgers replacements. Who could the Jets draft?
Which College QB Could the New York Jets Draft?
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is one of the more pro-ready QB prospects in this class. He possesses a good arm and intelligence as a pocket passer. The big knock on Gabriel is his size. He measured just above 5’10 at the Senior Bowl and weighed 202 pounds. It’s not as rare nowadays to see smaller quarterbacks succeed. However, they still come with risk and make the transition to the NFL more difficult to predict.
The former Oregon Ducks passer is a very comfortable pocket passer who throws with touch and anticipation. He can drive the ball to all parts of the field and also has lightning-quick processing ability. He does well leading his receivers and is precise with his accuracy over the middle of the field.
Gabriel is a rhythm thrower but has shown some lapses when his rhythm is thrown off. His footwork can get sloppy and while he’s a good athlete, he isn’t elite. Gabriel is limited in what he can do outside the pocket and won’t be a great runner at the next level.
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Gabriel is extremely intelligent and sees the field well. He is an experienced QB, he will turn 25 in his rookie season. I don’t look at his age as a negative. Gabriel has seen a ton of defenses and played many highly competitive games. I think Gabriel will come into the league with a much higher floor than most rookie QBs and I think some growth can happen when he’s put into a pro-style offense.
Gabriel’s stock seems to be flying up after an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. He can be an option for the Jets if they believe his size won’t be much of an issue. Mentally, Gabriel will be ahead of many young QBs right away and could be the leader of an NFL offense. And, the Jets could get without having to spend a first-round pick on the position.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart possesses many of the traits that teams look for in a QB. He is a tough kid that will leave it all out there. Dart is a fluid thrower that will also stand in the pocket and take hits. He’s accurate to the entire field and leads his receivers well with touch throws.
Dart can layer throws down the field and does well climbing the pocket. He is good outside the pocket and can make plays while scrambling and with his legs as a runner.
The biggest concern with Dart is how he reads the field. He tends to lock onto receivers with his eyes and isn’t a super quick processor. The Ole Miss Rebels didn’t give him a ton of pre-snap responsibility and he is slow getting off his first read.
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However, there are enough instances on tape of him in command and reading the field well to make you realize Dart’s potential ceiling.
Dart didn’t show off a rocket arm in college but there are things in his mechanics that can be tweaked to add higher-level arm talent to his game. He didn’t show consistent processing ability but there are flashes of greatness with him as a field general. He is a fairly raw QB and will show promise but with proper development, he could be a long-term starter in the NFL.
The Jets have three picks in the top 100 and could target Dart. Right now it seems like he is likely not a first-round guy but in a QB-needy league, he could go earlier than anticipated.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders has been widely viewed as a top QB prospect in this class for a while. His confidence and moxie is an acquired taste but could work well in the New York market. He doesn’t possess a crazy high ceiling, but with what he’s shown on tape his floor is high.
Sanders can spray the ball around with accuracy and extends plays with his above-average athleticism and field vision. He can throw with anticipation and he makes up for average arm talent with great touch and accuracy. He consistently made NFL-level throws in tight windows and got better every year.
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The Colorado Buffaloes star probably won’t be much of a runner at the next level and will need to fill out his frame to survive as a pocket passer. His biggest flaw is his pocket presence.
He holds onto the ball for way too long and drifts back and into pressure too often. Sanders will need to develop a better feel for playing within the rhythm of the game and getting to check-downs quicker. He does project as a long-term starter in the NFL and will make guys around him better.
The Jets would likely have to trade up to be in position to select the Colorado QB. But, Sanders’ experience in the spotlight and NFL-ready traits could make him the guy to take the keys and lead the franchise going forward.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers, once a 5-star recruit, has seen his stock drop due to injuries and inconsistent play. The talent is still all there and I think he’s become too underrated as a prospect. Ewers’ ceiling could intrigue the Jets.
The former Texas Longhorns quarterback can make any throw and with proper development could become a complete QB. His ability to read the defense and attack down the field is fascinating.
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Ewers can make throws off any platform and uses different arm slots and angles to get the ball where he wants it to go. He is a good athlete and his legs will certainly be a big part of his game at the next level. Ewers does well reading coverages and putting the ball where his receivers can make plays.
Ewers struggled against pressure and let it greatly affect his accuracy and eyes. He has obvious flaws on tape but everything looks like it can be corrected. The case for Ewers is more about projection than production but he’ll be available for the Jets and could be a potential Aaron Rodgers replacement if he doesn’t have to start right away.
Cam Ward, Miami
Cam Ward, by many, is the top QB in this class. To be in position the select Ward, the Jets would almost certainly have to move up. While that may be unlikely, it is the easiest path to the Jets finding their long-term answer at QB in this draft.
Ward is an older prospect, bringing experience and proving to be battle-tested. His rapid year-by-year improvement is impressive and shows his growing understanding of playing the positions. Ward is a gunslinger who reads the field well and possesses a good level of athleticism. He understands passing concepts well and is creative in getting the ball out and where it needs to be.
The Miami Hurricanes passer hunts the big play and is bold in attacking defenses down the field. He has big-time arm talent and can access any part of the field. He is a twitchy, mobile athlete who will punish over-pursuing defenders.
While having a high floor, Ward also has a potential high ceiling. It would cost a lot to move up and select Ward but a bold move for the top QB in this class could pay off big time.
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