Todd McShay certainly painted a bleak picture of how potential NFL draft picks view the current state of the Jets.
The longtime draft analyst predicted during his latest mock draft for The Rings that Oregon quarterback Dante Moore – who has yet to officially declare – will be there for Gang Green at No. 2.
He just doesn’t think those in Moore’s camp should be happy about that – or any camp for that matter for the entirety of the draft. McShay even said Moore should take his NIL money and return to Oregon if the Raiders are going to take Indiana quarterback Francisco Mendoza at No. 1.
Why risk going to the Jets?
“We can live with going to 30 of the 32 teams, maybe it’s 31,” McShay said Sunday on “The McShay Show”, talking about a potential conversation within Moore’s camp. “We can’t allow him to go to the New York Jets.”
He took things a step further from there, as there is no guarantee Moore even enters the draft as he prepares for the College Football Playoffs semifinals against the Hoosiers on Jan. 9.
“I promise you, not one single player in this entire draft, unless they grew up a Jets fan or have some kind of family tie, wants to be a New York Jet,” said McShay, who was once up to join former college teammate Joe Douglas’ front office in New York.
It’s hard to argue with the state of the Jets, coming off a dismal 3-14 season under first-year coach Aaron Glenn. The defensive-minded coach is facing questions about whether the job is too big for him.
Gang Green lost its final five games while setting the record for worst December point differential at 153-46. The team became the first in NFL history to not record an interception in a season.
The Jets have a 15-season playoff drought and owner Woody Johnson is considered by many to be among the worst in the sport.
There is reason for hope of a turnaround. After deadline deals for defensive stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnin Williams, the Jets hold five first-round picks and three second-rounders.
It will either set the foundation of a franchise turnaround, or if you listen to McShay leave plenty of college stars upset they are wearing Jets green.