If Joe Douglas, general manager of the Jets, does not trade quarterback Sam Darnold, Darnold will probably be a free agent in 2021.
This is because Douglas is unlikely to exercise Darnold’s fifth year option for 2022. And if Darnold struggles again in 2021 – the fourth and final year of his rookie contract – Douglas might be able to pick a quarter in the 2022 draft NFL draft.
Here’s an early overview of nine possible targets, with their 2021 class:
Sam Howell, North Carolina, third year junior (6-1, 225 pounds)
At this early stage, he is widely regarded as the leading forward for 2022 in the quarter. Through two seasons, he has 68 touches and 14 interceptions. One possible problem: he’s a bit on the short side, which some NFL teams may not like. But the man can play. So much is clear.
Kedon Slovis, USC, third year junior (6-3, 215 pounds)
Like Howell, he had a dominant true freshman season in 2019 – 30 touchdowns, nine distinctions. Last season, in six games, he had 17 touchdowns and seven picks. If Howell is the (very early) No. 1 quarterback for the 2022 NFL draft, Slovis is just there in the mix for the no. 2nd place, with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, third-year student (6-1, £ 205)
First of all, what a wonderful name. He made a new torso shirt in 2019, so he only has one full season of university experience. And he’s not that big. Rattler struck out 28 last season and had seven picks in 11 games. Let’s see if he can build on that in 2021. Maybe he will return to school in 2022.
Tyler Shough, Texas Tech, fourth year junior (6-5, 221 pounds)
He had just transferred from Oregon to Texas Tech, replacing Justin Herbert in Eugene. Shough wore red pants in 2018 and supported Herbert in 2019. Shough starts 2020 as the starter, but Oregon has switched to Anthony Brown, a Boston College transfer. Shough had 13 sessions and six picks in seven games last season. He will be eligible for Texas Tech in 2021 immediately. Shough has a prototypical NFL quarterback frame.
Jayden Daniels, Arizona, third year junior (6-3, 185 pounds)
While Howell, Slovis, Rattler and Shough are probably the top four full-backs to watch at the moment, another quarter or two could significantly increase his draft inventory in 2021. Daniels plays for former Jets coach Herm Edwards in the state of Arizona. He started from Day 1 in 2019, when he had 17 touches and two picks. In 2020, he had five touches and one pick in four games. NFL teams might want him to raise a little.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville, fifth-year senior (6-1, £ 200)
He will likely have three seasons of starting experience against next year’s draft. So there will be plenty of movies for NFL scouts to evaluate. Some teams like to have a well-known commodity on quarter. But Cunningham’s 2020 season (20 touchdowns, 12 picks) was not as strong as 2019 (22 touchdowns, five picks).
Grant Gunnell, Memphis, third year junior (6-6, 228 pounds)
He had just transferred from Arizona. He has only one season full-time starting experience, in 2020. He has the NFL size. This is very obvious. But he does not have an extensive record – twelve total university matches were played, with 15 touches and two picks. Lots more to prove.
Michael Penix Jr., Indiana, fourth year junior (6-3, 218 pounds)
Injuries were a problem for him, although he is an interesting prospect. He tore his ACL in 2018, when he wore a t-shirt. He entered 2019 as an appetizer, but was limited to six games due to a collarbone injury. In six games last season, he had 14 strikeouts and four picks, and he tore his ACL at the end of November. Lots of questions here. Let’s see what 2021 means for Penix.
Jack Coan, Notre Dame, fifth-year senior (6-3, 221 pounds)
He just transferred from Wisconsin, where he started one full season (2019) and then missed the entire 2020 due to a foot injury. In 2019, he had 18 touches and five choices. With Ian Book’s departure from Notre Dame, Coan will have the chance to launch in 2021 and improve its draft inventory. But Coan clearly has another ton to prove. Definitely a game map prospect at this point. Coan went to high school in Sayville, NY, on Long Island.
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