By The Associated Press

NFL teams are using premium draft picks on quarterbacks at an increasingly high rate.

The draft this weekend is slated to be the eighth in the past nine years with at least three QBs taken in the first round.

That will match the number of times that happened in the first 38 years of the common draft era.

But finding a capable starter is still essentially a coin-flip proposition.

Half of the first round QBs from 2011 until 2022 left their original teams without reaching the relatively low bar of receiving a second contract.

JETS SEND WILSON TO DENVER

By The Associated Press

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press the New York Jets have traded quarterback Zach Wilson to the Denver Broncos.

The Jets are sending Wilson and a seventh-round pick in this week’s draft to the Broncos for a sixth-rounder, the person said.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the teams haven’t announced the deal. NFL Network first reported the trade.

The Jets are parting ways with Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, after just three disappointing seasons.

New York is also expected to pay a portion of Wilson’s $5.5 million salary for this season.

SUGGS RETURNS AFTER KNEE INJURY

CLEVElAND (AP) — Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs returned and started the second half after injuring his left knee in the first quarter of Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Suggs was unable to put any weight on his leg as he was assisted off with 4:02 left in the quarter.

Suggs appeared to be crying as he was taken for treatment and further evaluation.

The Magic said he strained his knee and his return was questionable.

He was on the floor after halftime.

The third-year guard went down after making some contact with Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was fouled on the play.

Suggs immediately grabbed his leg as his teammates gathered around him.

SABRES HIRE NEW HC LINDY RUFF

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Lindy Ruff is returning to Buffalo for a second stint as coach of the Sabres. General manager Kevyn Adams announced the hiring Monday.

Ruff coached the Sabres from 1997-2013 and was the last person to guide them to the playoffs.

Ruff went on to coach the Stars from 2013-17.

Buffalo fired Don Granato after missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season with him in charge.

The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011, the longest drought in the league.

Ruff coached the New Jersey Devils the past three seasons before being fired in March.