Broadway Baker? Heisman Trophy QB Expected to be Selected by Jets

Have the Jets found their guy they feel is best suited to lead them to their first NFL title since "Broadway" Joe Namath guaranteed a Super Bowl victory in 1969? It seems as though they have. And that man may have just the amount of confidence to do the same in the future, as multiple sources say they expect the New York franchise to select the bold and brazen Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Per Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, a source who has dealt with the top quarterbacks in the draft over the last few years stated Mayfield to the Jets is a "done deal." That report falls in accordance with Optimum Scouting and Sporting News' Eric Galko saying the Jets pick is "in pen", having them selecting Mayfield during his latest mock draft.

Almost assuredly set to take a quarterback to be the future and face of their franchise, the Jets moved up from the sixth overall pick to the third slot. Swapping spots with the Indianapolis Colts and surrendering the two second round picks they held in this year's draft. At the time it seemed as though that if the Jets were targeting Mayfield they'd likely be able to get him with the sixth overall pick. After making that deal, the Jets, who've shown interest in all of the top quarterbacks, were believed to have their eyes set on either Josh Allen or Josh Rosen.

Having scouted each of Wyoming's games — both home and away —during the season, the Jets exhibited high interest in assessing quarterback prospect Josh Allen.  Allen, who despite tantalizing physical attributes didn't perform particularly well in terms of stats during his final college season, has been mentioned as the potential first overall pick. With many seeing him as one of the two most likely choices for the Cleveland Browns, along with USC quarterback Sam Darnold.

Others believed that another passer from California in Josh Rosen of UCLA might be the choice of the AFC East franchise. Despite questions and concerns about his personality as it translates to the potential to be the face of a franchise, many scouts and analysts are in agreement Rosen is the most polished quarterback prospect in the draft and best equipped to play right away and have success. One player who Rosen is often likened to —both in terms of talent and temperament — is Jay Cutler. Cutler, whose former quarterback coach with the Denver Broncos is current Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008. That same year Bates also was the offensive play-caller, leading to correlations that Rosen may be a good fit with him and New York.

Yet, quietly behind the scenes the team in white and green has been doing their homework on the karate kid from Oklahoma. Back in January at the Senior Bowl, the Jets reportedly met with Mayfield at length. That was before they again spent time with the six foot signal caller at the NFL Scouting Combine in early March. Subsequently, the quarterback-needy franchise conducted a private visit at the campus of the University of Oklahoma, as well as at their facility in Florham Park, NJ. During the latter of those meetings, Mayfield met with head coach Todd Bowles, general manager Mike Maccagnan, and CEO/chairman Christopher Johnson.

With the draft one week away Jets fans won't have to wait too much longer in finding out who their potential prized quarterback will be. However, in the days leading up to the draft, with the Browns and Giants — who hold the first and second overall picks ahead of the Jets — interested in the group of quarterbacks, the reports and rumors won't likely decrease. Add in the fact that other teams such as the Bills, Chargers, and even potentially the Patriots are interested in trading up, like the Jets did, to select their future leader. Uncertainty will surround the Jets selection until commissioner Roger Goddell makes the official announcement at the podium in AT&T Stadium in Dallas, a week from today.

Are the reports concerning Mayfield just another "smokescreen" amongst the countless forms by many teams during the days leading up to the draft? Or is it guaranteed the Jets have secured a quarterback they're confident will be able to bring them to a place they have't been since the days of Joe Namath and lead them to a parade down Broadway one day? That surprise won't pop out of the cake for another week. But you can bet things are surely baking.