Former NFL Pro Bowler Says Jets Should Draft QB, Uncertain Zach Wilson Is ‘The Guy’
Mar 6, 2022, 3:26 PM
Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets directs his team during the fourth quarter in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on December 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham thinks the New York Jets should add a quarterback in 2022 despite taking former BYU star Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021.
The five-time Pro Bowl player said he was unsure that Wilson is the signal-caller of the future for the Jets during an interview for the “Upon Further Review” podcast.
“I’m so stupid, I would draft another quarterback. I would literally draft another quarterback,” Abraham said. “I’ve got nothing bad to say about Zach, but I don’t know if he’s the guy.”
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Like Wilson, Abraham was selected by the Jets in the NFL Draft. Abraham was taken by New York with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.
He played six seasons with the Jets before finishing he career with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.
Abraham was a two-time first-team All-Pro player and a one-time second-team All-Pro selection during his 15-year career.
The former Jets standout didn’t dismiss Wilson as a professional player but said the expectations on young quarterbacks is great.
“That’s not to say Zach can’t play in the league, he just hasn’t had his opportunities yet being a rookie,” Abraham continued. “I would put a lot of pressure on him this year in the second year, especially seeing (Joe Burrow) going to the Super Bowl this year, we’re expecting a lot more from second-year quarterbacks now.”
“I’ve got nothing bad to say about Zach, but I don’t know if he’s the guy.”https://t.co/KUbDaEEym4
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 5, 2022
As an example, Abraham highlighted the Cardinals’ draft selection of Kyler Murray a year after picking Josh Rosen in the first round.
Wilson’s future is still in front of him and after a rollercoaster start to his rookie year, the former BYU star showed promise. 10 years from now, Abraham’s comment could be spot on or they might be another bad take in a long list of predictions gone wrong in the NFL conversation.
New York owns two first round picks in April’s draft, No. 4 and No. 10. Expect the Jets to build around Wilson with players like offensive linemen and weapons he can feed the ball to. Don’t expect the Jets to follow Abraham’s advice in the draft. If any quarterback gets added to the Jets roster this offseason, expect a veteran that Wilson can learn from as he looks to take another step in his game as an NFL sophomore.
Onward and Upward. Team effort. Locked in for next year | @nyjets pic.twitter.com/OROQPVx0wi
— Zachary Wilson (@ZachWilson) January 11, 2022
Zach Wilson’s Rookie Season
Wilson recently completed his first season in the league and helped New York to a 4-13 record, a two-win improvement from the 2020 season when Wilson was still at BYU.
The first-year quarterback struggled to start the 2021 campaign and suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss a month midway through the season.
TD pass No. 🎱 for @ZachWilson this season. #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #TBvsNYJ #TakeFlight #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/RV2yZPM5cy
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) January 2, 2022
After bouncing back from the injury, Wilson saw his play improve down the final stretch of New York’s slate.
Wilson finished the season passing for 2,334 yards, nine touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added 185 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
