Jets could be snug fit for former Baylor QB Bryce Petty
CHICAGO — If Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick fail this season to stake a strong claim to the job, Bryce Petty could emerge as New York Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's quarterback of the near future.
Considered by some evaluators as the best pure passer in this draft, Robert Griffin III's former Baylor backup became the Jets' fourth-round target Saturday and the fifth quarterback off the board despite many teams being wary of how long it would take to develop a player who's long operated from a one-read spread system.
Petty already feels some comfort level with Gailey and the Jets.
"When I came up on my visit, we did a mini install and it was actually a lot of the same dynamics or schemes that we had at Baylor that he was showing me on tape," he said.
"I'm definitely excited about getting into the film room with him and start understanding where, what, and how and the way things work. It's definitely an offense that your guys can have fun with and that's an important thing especially in this league."
Gailey has a track record for grooming shotgun, spread-groomed quarterbacks dating to his time with Pittsburgh Steelers signal caller Kordell Stewart.
"Bryce Petty is the most natural thrower of the football in this draft," NFL Network chief draft analyst Mike Mayock told Paste BN Sports.
"He's got a big arm. He needs some time. I think he cares and works at it. ... He's just going to need a year or two to transition from the spread system he's coming from. He's never been in the huddle. But he throws the deep ball extremely well."
Petty put up prolific numbers. The past two seasons, the 6-3, 230-pounder fired for 8,055 yards with 61 touchdowns. He also has deceiving mobility with the ability to extend plays. He rushed for 20 touchdowns the past two seasons.
Last season, he completed 63.1% of his passes with 29 touchdowns for 3,855 yards, including an eye-popping 550 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-41 Cotton Bowl loss to Michigan State.
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