By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets' offseason is underway in earnest. Free agency and the 2018 NFL Draft will go a long way toward determining the future of this franchise. It is a big offseason for Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan. With all that in mind, let's answer your questions in this week's Jets mailbag.

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Among the topics in this week's mailbag — Oklahoma's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and whether the Jets will select him in this year's draft. The Jets have the sixth overall pick.

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Ira in Staten Island, via email: The big question is: Can Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles have a sub-.500 season and have turned the team over to a rookie quarterback? That has to be part of the thinking before free agency starts. Thoughts?

This is indeed an interesting big-picture question, Ira. I think if the Jets draft a quarterback high and show progress in 2018 — as well as that quarterback showing signs of promise — then sure, they could go 7-9 and Maccagnan and Bowles could return in 2019. It's tough to envision them coming back if the team is absolutely miserable (five wins or fewer), especially since the Jets have so much salary cap space this offseason to improve their roster. Three straight five-win seasons will not sit well with the fans. But what about a six-win season? Eh, maybe. Remember, Maccagnan and Bowles are both under contract through 2020.

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Draft day hypo (assume Cousins signs elsewhere): Rosen, Darnold, Chubb, Barkley & Fitz go top 5. Macc dosen’t like other college QBs at 6. What do we do? Are any OTs worthy of 6th pick? — James Ash (@JamesAs17028619) January 26, 2018

Maccagnan could take Mayfield at No. 6. Or Wyoming's Josh Allen. Both of those guys are quarterback possibilities in the scenario you lay out. Maccagnan tends to like bigger quarterback prospects, so maybe he would shy away from taking Mayfield, despite Mayfield's impressive production in college. In terms of offensive tackles, one mock draft has projected Texas' Connor Williams to the Jets, for what that is worth. Oklahoma's Orlando Brown is another well-regarded offensive tackle prospect. The Jets don't have an immediate need at left tackle, but they need to find a left tackle of the future. Kelvin Beachum isn't it. Brown could certainly be a possibility for the Jets in the scenario you present here. He is the best offensive tackle in this draft class, according to CBSSports.com.

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If our GM and HC are wanting a specific QB in this year's draft, should they trade up, to maybe 4th Cleveland's spot? How much would it cost to move up 2 spots? — Bleed Green 247🕛✈🏈 (@BleedGreen247) January 25, 2018

Not a bad idea, considering the Broncos at No. 5 could take a quarterback. Or the Jets could move to the Colts' spot at No. 3 and take a quarterback there. OK, so what would it cost to move from No. 6 to No. 4? What about No. 6 to No. 3? Based on this draft trade chart, the difference between the sixth pick and fourth pick is 200 points. And the difference between the sixth pick and third pick is 600 points. The Jets could make up the 200-point difference by trading their third-round pick (240-point value). They could make up a 600-point difference by trading their initial second-rounder (520 points) and fourth-rounder (92 points). That's just an example. There are other combinations the Jets could use, including a future pick.

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Do you think Mccown would come back if he had to compete with another veteran or only if it’s a rookie? — Robert Lee (@Jetsbum2004) January 25, 2018

Sure, I think it's possible quarterback Josh McCown would re-sign with the Jets as their backup if they brought in Kirk Cousins. I could envision that scenario. It's not like other teams are going to be banging on McCown's door to be a starter. Wherever he plays in 2018, he won't be the preferred starting option. McCown, of course, would make for a fantastic backup/mentor for a high draft pick quarterback. And he'd certainly have a better chance of starting some early season games if the Jets go with a draft pick instead of Cousins. So it's more likely McCown re-signs with the Jets if they don't acquire a veteran free agent quarterback. But I wouldn't rule out him returning even if they do.

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Who do you think are some viable free agents that the jets will target on defense? Any edge rushers or DBs? — Brandon Ferris (@BFerrisVerified) January 25, 2018

Trumaine Johnson will be the best cornerback available in free agency, presuming he hits free agency. The Jets should definitely target him if he is available. Malcolm Butler is another possibility. Davon House, as well. In terms of edge rushers, the Jets obviously need to increase their production there. Ezekiel Ansah of the Lions is one option there. He would be a sexier signing than Barkevious Mingo. Ansah is coming off a 12-sack season, so he won't be cheap.

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Whats our opinion on some viable options either in free agency and or draft to fix o line?? I saw the sack allowed stat and were 2nd to last I believe w a large investment either way on qb coming??? — Dan Greco (@dangrec247) January 25, 2018

Yes, the Jets' offensive line struggled mightily in 2017. But this isn't a strong year for free agent offensive linemen. And really, center is the only line position the Jets need to address this offseason, as Wesley Johnson had an underwhelming 2017 season, and the Jets probably will let him walk. Ohio State's Billy Price is a nice draft option at center. In terms of free agency, the Giants' Weston Richburg is a possibility. But this isn't a great year for free agent offensive linemen. Looks like the draft is a better option for that position group this year.

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Should we be surprised if Mac takes a defensive player over Baker if he's at 6? — Dylan Painter (@BigDyl0023) January 25, 2018

You mean if the Jets don't sign Cousins? Yeah, it would be something of a surprise, since the Jets absolutely need to address the quarterback position this offseason. The Jets are doing their homework on Mayfield. You have to wonder how Maccagnan feels about Mayfield's size, or lack thereof. For what it's worth, Mel Kiper Jr. had the Jets passing on Mayfield in favor of Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb is another very talented defensive prospect.

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Who goes after Kirk Cousins the hardest, and is closest to be a winning team? Denver, Cleveland or #JETS. Seems that Denver would be his first choice, provided the money is the same. — Dave (@yayankee) January 25, 2018

Yeah, I would think so. Cousins wants to win now. He isn't getting any younger. If the Jets and Browns want Cousins, they're going to have to make very attractive pitches to him ... and perhaps offer him more money than the Broncos, presuming Denver is in on Cousins. Of course, there is always the possibility that Cousins stays in Washington, via another franchise tag or a long-term contract.

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Will the Jets ever Get out of This Maze? — [~Steve Gailey~] (@ReaperJet) January 25, 2018

Bonus points for the Phish reference. Well, if we consider the Jets' maze to be their never-ending search for a franchise quarterback, this is certainly a year the organization could escape that situation. Cousins might be available in free agency. And while this draft class doesn't have a sure-thing prospect along the lines of Andrew Luck, there are plenty of good options. If the Jets can't get their quarterback situation figured out, then The Curtain is going to come down on the Maccagnan/Bowles era at some point.

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Should fans worry about Bowles being stubborn and starting McCown over a 1st round rookie no matter what because he's way too conservative? A rookie at 6 or higher should start week one. — Jets Mets Nets Devils (@JetsMetsSouth) January 25, 2018

I'm sure that if the Jets do draft a quarterback at No. 6, he will get a chance to start at some point in 2018. Whether that is Week 1 remains to be seen. I wouldn't freak out if the Jets ultimately don't start their draft pick in the season's first game. I agree with the general premise that you shouldn't keep a high draft pick on ice for his entire rookie season. But it's not like he absolutely has to start in Week 1. Don't sweat that scenario. It's not that big of a deal, especially if the kid winds up starting at some point and being really good.

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They're going to need to be very aggressive in free agency if they want Cousins, as we mentioned above. In terms of the draft, I get the impression that Maccagnan does not like giving up draft picks — in a trade scenario — if he doesn't have to. A rebuilding team with as many holes as the Jets needs to retain as many draft picks as possible. The Jets, of course, have enough salary cap space this offseason to aggressively go after Cousins. So I would say they're more aggressive in free agency with their quarterback pursuit. I don't think the Jets will trade up from No. 6 in the draft. But that's really just a guess at this point.

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Assuming the #Jets take care of the QB position in FA where Bowles and Macc are more comfortable. What players will they target at the 6th pick? — Kyle McCarthy (@KMacC714) January 26, 2018

We mentioned a few of them already — cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rusher Bradley Chubb, maybe running back Saquon Barkley if he falls to No. 6. Signing Cousins (presuming he even becomes available) wouldn't just let the Jets address another position at No. 6, it would let them avoid trading up, so they'd be able to keep their full complement of picks, which is ideally what Maccagnan wants.

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Can the skins tag & trade Cousins under NFL rules? — Will (@NotSince69) January 26, 2018

Yes, Washington is allowed to do that. The only catch to franchise tagging a player for a third consecutive year is that the current team retains the rights to that player. Normally, with a non-exclusive franchise tag, another team can come get the player ... if it wants to give up two first-round draft picks. But that goes out the window when you tag a player for a third consecutive year. But yes, Washington could tag and trade Cousins.

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Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.