New York Jets coach Todd Bowles has made it plain enough that the team's current quarterbacks can expect some added competition for the 2015 season, presumably from the NFL draft. But while the club is getting an up-close look at the draft's best quarterback prospects in Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, its scouring of the draft options at the position is extending to Baylor's Bryce Petty as well.
Newsday is reporting the Jets will host Petty for a pre-draft visit next week.
Petty has a chance to be the third quarterback picked in the draft, although Winston and Mariota are the only two expected to be chosen in the first round. NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock rates Petty as the draft's No. 3 quarterback prospect, although Colorado State's Garrett Grayson and UCLA's Brett Hundley are possibilities as well.
The Jets hold the No. 6 choice of the draft, and could make Petty a target for a later pick if the club devotes the selection to improving a different position. Like Mariota, Petty will have a steep adjustment to a pro-style offense after spending his college career in the no-huddle, shotgun attack of Baylor coach Art Briles. Mariota operated a similar system at Oregon. In just two seasons as a starter, Petty passed for a whopping 8,055 yards for Baylor with 61 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.
According to Newsday, the Jets will also host Virginia linebacker Eli Harold for a visit. Harold's pass-rush ability makes him a first-round candidate for the draft, although he is expected to be chosen closer to the Jets' second pick (No. 37) than its first.
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