When it comes down to it, Mike Maccagnan really has no choice.
He knows what he has to do with the third overall pick in Thursday's opening round of the NFL draft. Plain and simple, the Jets' general manager must find himself a quarterback.
MORE: Complete NFL Draft Coverage
A franchise quarterback, not along the lines of a Kenny O'Brien, but the next Joe Namath. And heaven forbid if Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield turns into Browning Nagle.
He'll have a lot of history to overcome. The Jets traditionally have been one of the worst-drafting teams, especially since 2013, when they picked troubled and since-traded Sheldon Richardson in the first round. At least he played well for a couple of seasons, which is more than they received from their other first-round pick that year, cornerback Dee Milliner.
The New York Post rated them the league's 23rd-worst drafting team over the past five years. And the history past that isn't all that illustrious, either.
The last time the Jets drafted in the No. 3 spot came in 1981, when they plucked UCLA running back Freeman McNeil. He turned into a nice runner as he recorded 8,074 yards and 38 touchdowns from '81 to '92. He even made three Pro Bowls and was named first-team All Pro in '82.
WATCH: WFAN Hosts Share Jets' Best-Case Scenarios
Nobody has ever nominated him for a gold jacket, though. There is no bust in Canton.
Maccagnan needs a gold jacket guy. He needs a bust, and not the other kind, either. They've had plenty of those. Another Namath.
The question Maccagnan has to answer Thursday is whether one exists in this quarterback class. And if the answer is no, he just may have to take the top remaining thrower on his board and hope he's better than his first two quarterback forays, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg.
The pick could well be Baker Mayfield, given the vibes coming out of Florham Park for what seems forever. He's on the short side, but he's got confidence oozing from every pore. He can move, and he can throw on the run after working Oklahoma's spread offense. He won't wilt under the New York lights, but he might get broken in half on one of those scampers around the edge.
MORE: Steve Silverman's Final NFL Mock Draft
Maccagnan has six picks total (Nos. 3, 72, 107, 157, 179 and 235), one in each round except the second, which went to the Colts in the trade-up from No. 6.
Somewhere in there, preferably in the third round, Maccagnan will find the successor to the departed Muhammad Wilkerson. That person could be Arden Key, a defensive end/outside linebacker from LSU. The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder improved his status with a strong Combine. He's a situational pass rusher at this point. Tyquan Lewis could also be an option in the fourth round. The Ohio State defensive end could also go as a situational rusher after a seven-sack senior season.
If Maccagnan decides to shore up the secondary, a unit that is in good hands up the middle with safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, LSU cornerback Donte Jackson could be the guy. He's a third-round projection, fast with great athleticism. His size -- 5-10, 178 -- works against him. But if Maccagnan chooses to wait on his cornerback, he could take a look at fifth-round projection Parry Nickerson of Tulane. Another little guy at 5-10, 182, he has outstanding speed and would probably do well in the nickel slot, where he can let his athleticism and grit shine.
Help on the offensive line, wide receiver and tight end could also be coming, though those positions will probably wait until the late rounds.
MORE: Palladino: Gettleman Must Use His Five Other Draft Picks As Wisely As No. 2
The overriding concern remains at quarterback. Josh McCown is 38, and there's no telling what Teddy Bridgewater will look like after he gets back from a devastating knee injury. Petty and Hackenberg? Say goodbye.
Maccagnan knows all that, or at least should. The fan base certainly knows it after watching a succession of Richard Todds, Chad Penningtons and Mark Sanchezes try to fill the shoes of a Super Bowl legend whose Jets career ended way back in 1976.
Follow Ernie on Twitter at @ErniePalladino
