7 Draft Prospects the New York Jets Should Consider to Replace Mark Sanchez

The NFL quarterback is the most scrutinized player on the field come game day. Team wins, he gets more than his share of the praise. Team loses, and whoa, it's a tsunami of criticism.

There has to be a dividing line but there isn't. Maybe that is how New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez has felt since coming into the league.

The Jets paid a nice ransom to move up in 2009 to take the USC star. But while he has helped his team get to the AFC Championship game the past two seasons, the return on the team's investment may not be what they were looking for.

Remember, a kid with only a handful of starts on the college level was drafted to play in the most popular city in the country.

No pressure there.

But because the Jets have lost three of their last four games after coming out the gate with three straight wins, there are whispers. Maybe a change is needed. Maybe the kid is good, but isn't good enough.

Even head coach Rex Ryan said he wants to go back to a "ground and pound" offense. This, with a strong stable of receivers for Sanchez to work with.

And if the Jets, who appear to be in the thick of the playoff picture again, look to find their next "star" in the upcoming draft, where will they look and who fits their system?

There are quarterbacks out there. The Jets just need to decide on one. If they find the right combination, the "ground and pound" of the Jets could also be accompanied by an air attack that keeps the defenses guessing.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

If the NFL Draft was held today, the Jets would have somewhere around the 18th pick. That's way too low to grab a star like Luck, but they can hope and dream.

Luck is the highest rated quarterback to come out of college since maybe a guy named Elway. There is a lot of irony in that.

Luck has a great pedigree, in that his father, Oliver, was a former NFL quarterback himself. Whoever drafts Luck improves their team tenfold before he even throws a pass.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor

R.G. III has made quite a name for himself with the Baylor Bears. He has decent height at 6'2" and about 220 pounds. He has great foot speed and can move out of the pocket and make his own plays.

His breakout game against TCU proved he was a star. He is exciting, but does that translate to the next level?

Matt Barkley, USC

The man who replaced Sanchez is the wild card in this year's draft.

While USC does not get the television exposure they did before the Reggie Bush incident, Barkley will still be compared to, well, you know who.

Right now, he appears to be working on accuracy and has completed 68 percent of his passes, which bodes well for him.

But would the Jets take a flier on a USC guy who they will compare to their current starter?

Landry Jones, Oklahoma

When I first saw him play, I did not like him. But he grew on me.

Jones may be a great NFL quarterback. He is tall at 6'4" but very thin at 216 pounds. He needs more muscle and must show he can take an NFL hit.

He is very accurate in the Sooners' passing game.

Receivers like Ryan Broyles helps you put up big numbers. The Jets, with a plethora of deep threats, could be the team for him.

Ryan Tanneyhill, Texas A&M

Tanneyhill is moving up charts and draft boards.

With the play of the Aggies this season, we have seen what he can do on television. But make no mistake, he is a work in progress, much like Sanchez.

His failed attempts at keeping leads in the second half against major competition this season shows he needs some polish.

If he is drafted by the Jets in the second round, will they be patient with him?

Nick Foles, Arizona

While the Arizona defense has played poorly this season, Foles has done his part to keep the Wildcats competitive.

He has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He has prototypical size at 6'5" and 235 pounds and has a nice touch on the ball.

Again, this is a player who could be a great find in the second or third round. The question is if the Jets will be willing to bring him along slowly or throw him to the wolves.

Kellen Moore, Boise State

I am all over the board on this guy, mainly because so many scouts don't think he has an NFL future. But all he does is win. Isn't that what Tim Tebow does?

At 6"0" he is short by NFL standards. He is thin at 187 pounds, but he has a knack for making big plays and the Boise State offense makes him look like a star.

For some NFL scouts, the questions will abound about size, speed and height. Will he be a star like Drew Brees, who has a better arm? Or will he fizzle out and be an afterthought on someone's roster?