New York Jets

New York Jets rookie Michael Carter thinks the quarterback his new team landed is the best player that was available in the 2021 NFL draft.

"He deserved to be the number one pick, if I'm being honest," Carter said on SiriusXM NFL Radio of Zach Wilson, who the Jets drafted at No. 2 overall.

Carter, who played collegiately at North Carolina, is plenty familiar with the No. 1 pick, Trevor Lawrence, since they faced off in ACC play. He called the Clemson star "elite" and "a special talent," but said Wilson had the upper hand. 

"He's a great player," he said before praising Wilson as a fast learner. "He's literally so good and he's so smart. He does minute stuff that just really wows you." 

Wilson ended his collegiate career with 7,652 yards, 56 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions through three years and 30 games at BYU. In 2020, he ranked second in the country in points responsible for (264), passing efficiency (196.4) and completion percentage (73.5) and was in the top five in numerous other categories. 

Lawrence, who was a starter as soon as he arrived on campus in 2018, finished with 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns with 17 interceptions. He finished as the winningest quarterback in Clemson history and placed second in voting for the 2020 Heisman Trophy. 

Carter isn't the only player who has a strong impression of the BYU product in their first weeks as teammates. Speaking to reporters, several members of the 2021 draft class said Wilson reached out to them when they were drafted (h/t Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated).

"I’m a big believer in bringing the guys around you together, having a strong connection with them. That’s a leader," Wilson said. "I’m going to be the man that they can look up to, they can call for any advice, any help that they ever need."

The New York Jets will attempt to end a 10-year playoff drought with a new-look team in 2021.

Robert Saleh has replaced Adam Gase as head coach after a 2-14 season in which the Jets struggled in pretty much every phase of the game.

The team also made several notable changes to the roster, including at quarterback after selecting Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick and sending Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The team focused on offense through the draft with the additions of Elijah Moore, Michael Carter and Alijah Vera-Tucker. 

The Jets upgraded in other areas through free agency, too, with the additions of Corey Davis, Carl Lawson and Sheldon Rankins. It could help turn things around after being outscored by 214 points in 2020, easily the worst mark in the NFL.

Here is the schedule the team will see in 2021, per the Jets' official Twitter account.

Analysis

A last-place schedule will make things easier for the Jets in 2021, but it doesn't mean things will be easy for the rebuilding squad.

The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town in Week 17 with a familiar foe in Tom Brady, who has a 29-7 regular-season record against the Jets in his career.

This is one of five different playoff teams from last year on the schedule, although many of those who fell short last season should be better. The New England Patriots reloaded in free agency, and the Miami Dolphins' and Buffalo Bills' young rosters are expected to further improve, creating serious challenges within the division.

With some of the best defenses in the NFL on the schedule, Wilson will be tested early in his career.

The entire offense will face some serious challenges in 2021 after finishing dead last in the league in both points scored and total yards from scrimmage last year, and it will be up to new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur to get the most out of his roster.

Pivotal Matchups

If there is any game that will get the attention of a national audience, it's Week 16 for the home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

These teams had just three wins between them in 2020 but will now be led by the top two picks of the 2021 draft. The Jaguars took Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick, while the Jets went with Wilson at No. 2.

If they live up to expectations, this could be the beginning of an exciting rivalry between the two young signal-callers. Of course, a big performance by Lawrence could help remind the Jets what they gave up by winning two late games last year.

Meanwhile, the most important games in the standings will likely come within the division.

New England is coming off its worst season in 20 years, yet New York still wasn't able to get a win against Bill Belichick and company. The Jets have lost their last 10 games against the Patriots dating back to an overtime victory in 2015.

Ending this streak would endear Saleh to the fanbase and prove these aren't the same old Jets.

Free-agent wide receiver Tavon Austin worked out with the New York Jets on Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport added the workout "sounded like it went well."

The San Francisco 49ers originally signed Austin ahead of the 2020 NFL season, but a knee injury kept him from appearing for the team. Following his injury settlement with the 49ers last October, he joined the Green Bay Packers and played in four games.

Austin was a dynamic offensive threat at West Virginia, particularly during his final two years with the Mountaineers. Between 2011 and 2012, he amassed 3,300 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns.

The St. Louis Rams selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 draft, and the on-field returns struggled to live up to expectations. Austin's best season to date was in 2015, when he caught 52 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns while logging 52 carries for 434 yards and four scores.

At 31, it's difficult to envision Austin enjoying a breakthrough in the NFL. He had five offensive touches and returned three punts during his brief time in Green Bay.

Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur was on the 49ers staff last year, so he will have worked with Austin during the offseason. That would likely help him carve out a defined role in New York's offense if he were to make the final cut prior to Week 1.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson wants to earn the starting job, but the position will be his barring some catastrophe before the 2021 season arrives.

The MMQB's Albert Breer reported that the Jets are "100 percent" planning to have Wilson under center for Week 1.

The BYU product was selected with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 draft and has no obvious competition on the roster. Backups James Morgan and Mike White have combined for zero NFL snaps in the regular season.

Wilson made his first appearance at Jets rookie minicamp over the weekend, saying the starting spot is not guaranteed.

"In this position, the coaches want to play the best player," Wilson told reporters Saturday. "That position has to be earned. I have to do what I'm supposed to do. That'll take care of itself."

The Jets are expected to sign a veteran backup behind Wilson. The team met with Brian Hoyer ahead of the draft, and Rich Cimini of ESPN reported former San Francisco 49ers backup Nick Mullens is another potential option.

Jets coach Robert Saleh has familiarity with Hoyer and Mullens from his time in San Francisco. Saleh was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 before accepting the Jets job.

Regardless of whether the Jets sign another quarterback, every person at the position will be looking up at Wilson on the depth chart. The Jets hope that's the case for a long time.

Despite having no legitimate challengers for the New York Jets' starting quarterback position, Zach Wilson does not expect to be handed the spot for Week 1.

"In this position, the coaches want to play the best player. That position has to be earned," Wilson told reporters Saturday at rookie minicamp. "I have to do what I'm supposed to do. That'll take care of itself."

Wilson will, barring injury, be the starter when the 2021 season kicks off. The Jets invested the No. 2 pick in the BYU product and then went to work surrounding him with young talent.

James Morgan and Mike White are the only two quarterbacks behind Wilson on the depth chart. Neither Morgan nor White has taken a regular-season NFL snap.

The Jets are expected to sign a veteran option at some point. Rich Cimini of ESPN reported they met with Brian Hoyer and that Nick Mullens is another potential option. Mullens has an existing relationship with new Jets coach Robert Saleh from their time with the San Francisco 49ers.

"He did a really nice job," Saleh said of Wilson's first day at camp. "The ball was in and out of his hand very crisp. He was in rhythm and was on time; the players were running the right routes. The ball was barely on the ground."

Wilson has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, and the Jets would be head over heels if they could get quarterback play approximating a Mahomesian level.

New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams reportedly suffered a broken bone in his foot and is "likely" to undergo surgery that'll require an eight-to-10 week recovery.

Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported Tuesday that Williams "should be healthy" for the start of training camp in July.

Williams quickly emerged as a critical piece of the Jets' defensive front after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2019 draft.

The 23-year-old former Alabama standout recorded 28 total tackles and 2.5 sacks as a rookie and made major strides in 2020 en route to 55 tackles and seven sacks. He received a strong 81.4 grade from Pro Football Focus last season.

His breakout season came to a premature end in December after being placed on injured reserve following a concussion a neck injury suffered in a Week 15 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Williams became the focus of some trade speculation early in the offseason, but he made it clear in an interview with CBS Sports' Zach Gelb (via Adam Maya of NFL.com) he didn't want to be moved.

"I'd be disappointed," Williams said in February. "I really want to be a Jet for life. I like New York, and I want to play in New York."

His availability was typically linked to a potential blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson, but that specific outcome has faded away after the Jets selected BYU signal-caller Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in last week's draft.

With that massive hole filled, it's hard to imagine another scenario where Williams is available for trade.

The Jets may be cautious with one of their key defensive building blocks at the start of camp to limit the risk of any setbacks for the foot injury, but he should be ready to roll well before Week 1.

New York is counting on a big year from Williams and the defense as it attempts to end a 10-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL.

WFAN radio host Craig Carton defended himself amid criticism after he asked New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson about his "attractive" mother.

Wilson's mother, Lisa, received attention on social media Thursday night as the cameras cut to her and her son celebrating being taken No. 2 overall by the Jets. The newly minted Jets franchise quarterback then appeared on WFAN, with Carton coming through with an awkward question. 

 “Your mom has become the lead story, and I say that respectfully because people are like, ‘the star of the first round of the draft is Mrs. Wilson because she’s a very attractive woman,'" Carton said. "And, I’m just wondering how awkward that is for you, that you just got picked second overall in the NFL draft, and the focus is, wow, his mom is really hot."

Despite the eye-opening question, Wilson seemed to handle things in stride, making it clear he has noticed the comments.

 “Yeah, it’s not my favorite for sure. I like to keep her out of the spotlight. She’s an awesome lady and I love having her support," Wilson said.

WFAN has not released a statement on Carton's comments or subsequent defense of his question.