Despite glaring needs everywhere, Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets cannot allow Deshaun Watson to sneak away.
The National Championship Game on Monday night was nothing short of spectacular.An array of amazing catches, runs and throws helped the Clemson Tigers defeat the Rolling Tide. Deshaun Watson was incredible, as he completed 36 of his 56 passes for 420 yards and three touchdowns through the air while adding another score on the ground.
Watson was able to consistently drive the ball down the field and fit the ball into tight windows. This strong showing against the No. 1 ranked defense in college football should prove to scouts that he is the real deal.
The New York Jets hold the sixth pick in the upcoming draft and desperately need a quarterback, as it is painfully clear that Bryce Petty is not the long-term answer.
This will force Gang Green to draft a quarterback early this year. The front office desperately needs to make a good pick, as their recent solutions at the quarterback position have not panned out.
They should look no further than Watson as he’s been a consistent contributor throughout his collegiate career at Clemson. He has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in back to back years while rushing for at least eight touchdowns each year as well.
Watson won five awards in 2015, including ACC Player of the Year and the Manning Award, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding quarterback. Watson has been a Heisman finalist each of the past two years and most recently, of course, a National Champion.
The native of Gainesville, GA would bring an entirely new element and identity to the Jets. His ability to stretch plays and run would force opposing defenses to respect the offense, which Petty is unable to do.
What sets Watson apart from most quarterbacks making the jump to the NFL is that he has past experience playing under center, which is not common for most.
Clemson frequently uses plays that allow Watson to choose between the run and pass, which prepares him for various schemes that NFL defensive coordinators will throw at him.
While Watson excelled as a runner last year, he elected to throw more often from the pocket this season. His decision to do so paid off dividends, as general managers around the NFL, took notice. His pocket awareness and footwork are constantly being praised and put him in very high standing to be drafted early.
These attributes would truly allow him to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL as opposed to previous college stars such as Geno Smith and Vince Young.
These quarterbacks flamed out of the league because they did not have the same skill set that Deshaun Watson possesses. He is unquestionably a student of the game and his abilities are way past his age.
His skills would be a vital component into rebuilding the Jets offense and provide them with a quarterback that has big play ability.
Watson would arrive and immediately have the privilege to throw to an excellent target in Brandon Marshall and a solid running game with Matt Forte and Bilal Powell. With this arsenal, Watson would be able to lift the Jets to a level they have not seen since Mark Sanchez (yikes).
This is not a pick that Jets GM Mike Maccagnan should make, this is a pick that he needs to make.
