For Zach Wilson and the New York Jets, the speculation is over.
The Jets selected Wilson with the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Thursday night.
Wilson will become the team’s next franchise quarterback their highest drafted quarterback since Joe Namath in 1965.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, as expected, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the number one overall pick. The Jets passed on quarterbacks Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones for Wilson.
Wilson, out of BYU, ranked second in the FBS in completion percentage (247 of 336; 73.5%), third with 33 passing touchdowns (against just three interceptions) and 10th with 307.7 passing yards per game (3,692 total). Wilson also rushed for 10 touchdowns (70-254-3.6) in 12 starts for the 11-1 Cougars.
The pick doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Wilson went on everyone’s mock draft for the Jets after they traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, earlier this month.
Wilson comes to a Jets team looking to move forward after a 2-14 season. Now can head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas build an infrastructure that will allow Wilson to thrive? We’re all about to find out.
