New York Jets hiring Robert Saleh as HC, what it means for Sam Darnold, No. 2 pick

What does Sam Darnold’s long run with the New York Jets seem like upon the hiring of Robert Saleh as the new head coach?

On Thursday night time, information broke that the New York Jets would be hiring Robert Saleh to be the team’s future head coach. Saleh will be filling the void remaining by the a short while ago fired Adam Gase, who was despatched packing soon after 9 wins across a pair of unsuccessful seasons.

Formerly the 49ers defensive coordinator, Saleh is envisioned to provide a stage of depth to Florham Park that was unquestionably existing in and around San Francisco’s defense, a device that completed fifth in whole yards allowed this earlier period irrespective of a range of injuries.

But considering that he’s a defensive-minded individual, it’s interesting to imagine of what will arrive about with the team’s existing starting up quarterback. Sam Darnold‘s long run with the organization is not just apparent. You could blame Gase for this scenario or you could issue the finger at Darnold himself, but both way, the youthful quarterback has seasoned a hindered growth.

Does the organization trip with Darnold in 2021? Does it element approaches with him and draft his replacement (Ohio State’s Justin Fields or BYU’s Zach Wilson) at No. 2 overall?

In disagreement with those who want to see improve across the board, the Jets would be much better off putting the previous strategy to use.

The belief is that Saleh is envisioned to provide 49ers passing recreation coordinator Mike LaFleur (the brother of Packers head coach Matt LaFleur) with him to Florham Park to be the Jets’ new offensive coordinator. The explanation why this would make a change in the eventual Darnold-associated decision is that LaFleur’s passing attack has succeeded with out the finest of quarterbacks.

Thus, the Jets wouldn’t will need to make a major improve and get Fields or Wilson in order to be successful in this aspect of the recreation.

In 2020, the 49ers were twelfth in the NFL with 252.1 passing yards for every recreation with main starting up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out for considerably of the period. Amid his absence, Nick Mullens performed in 10 games (eight commences) and recorded just a forty four.2 QBR (whole quarterback ranking that’s modified primarily based on the strength of opposing defenses), which was thirty first out of 33 quarterbacks calculated by using ESPN.

Garoppolo’s QBR, on the other hand, was just sixty one.four as a result of his six commences, which would’ve tied him with Daniel Jones for twenty first out of the quarterbacks calculated.

LaFleur as a result ran an helpful passing attack when his quarterbacks were really considerably down below regular, effectively indicating the youthful coach was capable to correctly plan the passing-recreation targets towards open up area.

Inspite of taking part in in just 7 games, Niners receiver Deebo Samuel led the league with four.six regular yards of separation (for every Subsequent Gen Stats) though star restricted conclude George Kittle averaged 3.9 when he was balanced. Each Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne averaged 2.8 yards of separation.

The Jets do not will need a new quarterback ideal now, particularly with the form of offensive recreation-planning that LaFleur would provide to the desk. Only speaking, the receivers make the magic transpire.

For what it’s well worth, ESPN’s Adam Schefter additionally mentioned he “would be astonished if Sam Darnold were not the starting up quarterback” in 2021.

Appears to be like Sam Darnold will be the #Jets QB future period, for every @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/ZqzSVUxCIG

— Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) January fifteen, 2021

So if Darnold does without a doubt remain with Gang Environmentally friendly, what does the organization do with the No. 2 overall select? Do the Jets trade it away? Get an offensive lineman?

Both 1 of those choices tends to make sense, but the most logical maneuver would be to draft what would benefit LaFleur’s passing attack the most — a proficient receiver. And boy, is the early part of the draft stacked with those.

Specified the probably incidence of the Jaguars picking out Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the top rated overall select, the Jets should have just about every of the top rated a few receivers on the board — LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle, and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith — for the using.

Judging by what we noticed through Monday’s Higher education Football Playoff Countrywide Championship, Smith unquestionably appears to be the most proficient, owning caught 12 balls for 215 yards and a few scores. Heck, he did not get the 2020 Heisman Trophy for almost nothing.

Each individual of the a few wideouts portrays his very own on-subject strengths and is rated in The Draft Network’s top rated 10 prospective customers. Right now, the top rated prospect of the a few transpires to be Smith at No. 5, and moderately so. His elusiveness, speed, and skill to improve the offensive tempo at the snap of a finger are all exceptionally eye-catching traits for a receiver, particularly considering that the speed of the recreation is in a quickly escalating point out.

Time (alongside with the NFL Scouting Blend) will explain to which receiver ends up starting to be the top rated 1 drafted, but do not be astonished if Darnold and 1 of these shortly-to-be rookies url up at MetLife Stadium future period.