Executive thinks Jets should've targeted this quarterback in 2025 NFL Draft

The New York Jets seemingly showed they are all-in on Justin Fields when they didn't select a single quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, the Jets took Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou at pick No. 7 before they grabbed LSU tight end Mason Taylor in the draft's second round (selection No. 42).

For a piece published on Thursday, one unnamed league executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic that he thinks the Jets should've spent their third pick of the draft on a speedy quarterback out of Alabama. 

"I thought the Jets should have been in play for Jalen Milroe," that executive said. "They draft Membou, so they are prioritizing the line of scrimmage a second year in a row. They are going to be a clear running threat with Justin Fields, but when you play that way, you open him up to potential injury. Milroe would let them continue playing that style."

In the weeks and days leading up to the draft, stories linked the Jets with Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Louisville's Tyler Shough. The New York Giants traded back into the first round to select Dart at choice No. 25, while the New Orleans Saints drafted Shough at pick No. 40. 

One may never know if the Jets would've selected Shough at No. 42. They drafted Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas with the 73rd pick, and the Seattle Seahawks later took Milroe at choice No. 92

For an article by Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that was posted on April 22, an AFC coordinator said he felt there was "no reason" Milroe couldn't eventually become what Jalen Hurts has been for the Philadelphia Eagles. That same coordinator said Milroe "might be the best quarterback runner I’ve ever evaluated."

As for Fields, StatMuse shows he has accumulated the fourth-most regular-season rushing yards among quarterbacks (2,509) since he entered the league in 2021. Assuming the Jets hold onto Breece Hall through the offseason, he will be part of a potentially exciting rushing attack that will also include Fields, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.

On paper, the Jets adding Milroe to that mix would have made all kinds of sense. Perhaps the team's new regime simply decided it didn't want Fields worrying about possibly losing his job to a rookie at any point this summer or fall.