QB pick at No. 2 will kick off busy draft for Jets

2 & 23. NEW YORK JETS (2-14)

LAST SEASON: The Jets started a franchise-worst 0-13 before beating the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15, all but sealing Adam Gase’s fate after just two years as coach. One of the worst seasons in team history included quarterback Sam Darnold missing four games with shoulder injuries and finishing with just nine TD passes and 11 interceptions as the offense finished last in the NFL in several categories. Running back Le’Veon Bell was released and nose tackle Steve McLendon and linebacker Avery Williamson were traded midseason. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was fired after an ill-timed play call cost the Jets a potential first victory against Las Vegas in Week 13. Gase was fired after the season, replaced by former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

FREE AGENCY: Traded Darnold to Carolina. Placed franchise tag on S Marcus Maye. Lost WR Breshad Perriman, QB Joe Flacco, S Matthias Farley, OLs Josh Andrews and Pat Elflein and LBs Tarell Basham, Jordan Jenkins and Frankie Luvu. Released DE Henry Anderson. Signed DEs Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry, WRs Corey Davis and Keelan Cole, RB Tevin Coleman, DL Sheldon Rankins, LBs Jarrad Davis and Del’Shawn Phillips, S Lamarcus Joyner, TE Tyler Kroft, OL Dan Feeney, CB Justin Hardee. Re-signed TE Daniel Brown, WR Vyncint Smith and RB Josh Adams.

THEY NEED: QB, CB, OL, WR, RB, Edge.

THEY DON’T NEED: DL, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: BYU QB Zach Wilson; Ohio State QB Justin Fields.

OUTLOOK: GM Joe Douglas pressed the reset button on the franchise by trading Darnold and setting his sights on drafting his replacement with the second overall pick. All signs point to Wilson being the choice, especially after his impressive pro day at BYU in front of Douglas, Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. New York has 10 overall picks, including No. 23, and that’s where the intrigue is. The Jets have several needs - including offensive line, cornerback, running back, edge rusher - and they’ll have a chance to add another impact player in the first round to pair with their new QB.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL