2021 NFL Draft: Analyst Wants the Jets to Pick Justin Fields Ahead of Zach Wilson

New York Jets confirmed the exit of former first-round pick Sam Darnold last month. They traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers after already parting ways with former HC Adam Gase earlier this year. Jets GM Joe Douglas appointed former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their new boss ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

The AFC East big boys own the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It’s no secret that they are looking to bring in a young and dynamic quarterback who can possibly lead the franchise back to the playoffs in the coming years.

With Trevor Lawrence all but set to join Urban Meyer-coached Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets are being linked to the likes of Zach Wilson (BYU Cougars) and Justin Fields (Ohio State Buckeyes).

However, one certain NFL draft analyst wants Joe Douglas and coach Saleh to go with this particular quarterback.

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Justin Fields, Zach Wilson both being tipped for the New York Jets

Popular American draft expert Mel Kiper was the latest guest on The Rich Eisen Show earlier this week. He addressed the quarterback conundrum that New York Jets are working with.

“I’ve been consistent with Justin all along. The way he performed like a champion against Trevor [Lawrence] in that semifinal game, I think cemented it for me… I did stick with Fields for that reason. Undeniable arm talent. The year he had…was phenomenal. Now granted, it was against an inferior schedule.”

“So he had some talent around him, but I just think that Joe Douglas fell in love with the talent and said, ‘OK, I love this kid. I can reset the clock. Sam Darnold, I liked but I can move him on, get some draft picks.”

“If they weren’t picking second and in a position to draft Zach Wilson, he would’ve stuck with Sam Darnold and not moved on. So obviously for him, it was Trevor Lawrence or Zach Wilson and nobody else,” Kiper said on the show.

Fields is also reportedly being assessed by Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. Both Shanahan and GM John Lynch attended Fields’ 2nd Pro Day workout in Ohio earlier this month.

The Jets will begin a new era under coach Saleh when the season starts in September. But only time will tell if they can find their groove with someone like Wilson or Fields as their starter.

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