NFL Draft Watch: Zach Wilson’s Fit With The New York Jets

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Where will former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson land in the 2021 NFL Draft?

Leading up to April’s NFL Draft, we will take a detailed look at the potential landing spots for Wilson.

The first team we will breakdown in the NFL Draft Watch series for the junior signal-caller is the New York Jets.

New York Jets

First-round pick(s): No. 2

2020 record: 2-14

2020 starting quarterback(s): Sam Darnold, Joe Flacco

Projected 2021 base offense: West Coast

In his first round of the 2021 NFL Mock Draft 5.0, @Jordan_Reid sent BYU QB Zach Wilson (@zachkapono1) to the Jets.

How do you like the fit for New York?#FrontOffice33 | #NFLDraft | #TakeFlight | #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/y32ppcdv0V

— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) January 26, 2021

Let’s start off with how impressive it is that we are discussing Wilson as the potential No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Prior to the 2020 season, the thought of Wilson getting draft in the first round would have been far fetched. A few short months later, it sounds like the quarterback is a lock as a top 10 selection.

When I put out my preview of Wilson’s landing spots earlier in January, I said the following about Wilson and the Jets:

“Could Wilson be the second player taken? It’s certainly possible with the changes happening with the New York Jets. After they finished the 2020 season with a 2-14 record, the Jets fired head coach Adam Gase. With a new head coach entering the organization, it will be interesting to see if New York sticks with Sam Darnold or moves in another direction with a guy like Wilson.” – Kyle Ireland

Jets fans: If you can’t get Watson, fear not: Zach Wilson is coming. He’s cemented himself as the 2nd best QB in the class https://t.co/TnZ4NesPmi pic.twitter.com/HYnfjLs3Zz

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) January 28, 2021

Robert Saleh & Mike LaFleur

Since I wrote that paragraph, the Jets have hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as the team’s next head coach. Along with Saleh, the Jets hired Mike LaFleur as the organization’s offensive coordinator.

Like Saleh, LaFleur is joining New York after spending time under Niners head coach and offensive guru Kyle Shanahan.

LaFleur is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

We've hired Mike LaFleur as our offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/6dLaBjOAsI

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 21, 2021

Between now and April, the Jets’ new staff and executives will have to decide if Darnold can be the team’s long-term solution at quarterback. The former top five draft pick was highly touted coming out of USC but has struggled during his first seasons in the league. If the Jets decide to move on from Darnold, the young QB will add to the possible carousel of signal-callers this off-season. Joe Flacco was New York’s backup last season but is well past his prime. Assuming the Jets move on from Darnold, a quarterback will be the team’s likely selection at No. 2.

All signs point to Trevor Lawrence of Clemson landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1. With Lawrence off the board, Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields will be the most likely to be picked by the Jets.

“It all starts with the run game for us, which sets up the pass,” LaFleur said of the Niners’ offensive philosophy in a 49ers.com article from August 2020. “But the big thing we like to say with our offense is they need to marry up with each other, they need to look the same. The way our offensive line comes off the ball in the run game is really no different than how they come off in the passing game, particularly on first and second downs. That’s everything for us and our philosophy in terms of marrying it up and making a defense not really know if it’s run or pass.”

About Zach Wilson

Wilson passed for 3,692 yards and completed 74 percent of his passes during his impressive junior campaign.

The Draper, Utah native finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting for the 2020 season.

Wilson is currently in Southern California, where he is training in preparation for the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine and NFL Draft.

2021 NFL Scouting Combine and NFL Draft