In my mind, the best option for the Jets is to trade down out of the first round. Mambo made a thread the other day questioning if the Jets had any needs, and while I don't agree with the wording of that statement, he was on the right track. The Jets don't have very many needs in the sense of acquiring players to start right away, but they do have needs in terms of adding solid contributors, depth, and youth. The Jets are extraordinarily lucky that this draft happens to be the one that has the strongest Rds 2 through 4 that I've seen in some time. There are a lot of guys very close in value that will be selected on how they fit with each team, even if they might be slightly behind in terms of skill. A trade down would mean two things: 1. It would add at least another pick to the mix. Six is OK, but with the way that this team identifies talent, I'd love to give the staff more opportunities to find quality youngsters. I might even take a bit less on one of the picks to add an extra late rounder. 2. Better opportunity for the Jets to take "their guy". This one's a bit crazy, but hear me out. The Jets love trading up, it's their thing, they like going to a spot and nabbing the exact guy they want at the exact point they feel he's valued. Using that same logic, but in the opposite direction, why not trade down to a point to do the same thing? A guy's there at 29, but simply isn't worth that pick. I would assume that a team who understands the value of trading picks like the Jets would feel comfortable moving down, and maximizing that value. Now, let's get to what I'm trying to do here. I'm looking for deals, I'm looking for ideas, I'm looking to see if my fellow draftniks here at TGG can come up with some deals or situations that would make sense. Give me your thoughts, give me some example trades, and give me the players that you'd target wherever you want to trade down to. I'll post my own soon, I just wanted to get it on the page. By the way, I realize it's ridiculous to ponder trades that would be in the moment things that are over a month away, but I figure while we're busy speculating wild stuff, might as well go outside the box.
An interesting partner for the Jets may be the Oakland Raiders, they have a relatively early 2nd round pick, and an extra 3rd and 5th rounder. A deal that might work for both teams is... Jets send #29 to the Raiders for #39 (2nd), #103 (4th), and #134 (5th). The Raiders would still have 6 picks, and they'd be able to move back up into the 1st round to get a player they're targeting. An alternative would be getting #39 and their later third (#85) and sending back a late pick. Raiders targets at #29: S Taylor Mays, OG Mike Iupati, any of the corners, DT Dan Williams, LB Sean Weatherspoon The Jets would then be able to see who might drop of the rush LBs, or take a DB. Nate Allen would be a good fit around there, or they could even take a CB there without that much issue.
Here is my logic you dont see GM's just flat out change on their draft tactics. Al Davis is always going to draft based on measurables, its that simple. The Jets do have the "their guy" mentality, and I cant see it changing here. I just cant especially when the draft class is this deep. Tanny has always been the guy who has been under the belief that you get impact guys who are going to help you out the most. I think Tanny is a great drafter no matter how many picks you give him. Also if Tanny really is into his guy mentality he will reach for someone just look at Keller two years ago, everyone thought he could be around in the early second when we were picking but we traded up and got him early I find it much easier to predict trades up Still if we did trade with the Denver Broncos, from their first draft it seems the Broncos like to over value guys where guys go, so for all we know we could easily see a guy slip and the Broncos will break the bank for him. We could exchange our first for their second and fifth and get them to throw in some backup guy Still I would put my money on the Jets trading up more than trading down
Trading down always seems like the most desirable option. And with a draft class like this it makes it all the better. If there's an opportunity to move into the top of the second round, you have to take it. There aren't many glaring needs here, but there's a handful of positions that could use depth or youth.. Seeing that Tannenbaum and co. are an aggressive group, I wouldn't be surprised if they moved UP to take a guy they like. I've never been a fan of having just a few picks on draft day, but you can't argue with the results so far when they move up. With that being said, I'd be thrilled if they could work out a trade DOWN this year instead if the value-potential need isn't there. It's all about finding the team willing to move up though...
Trading down for Nate Allen would be nice. I could also see us pondering Cam Thomas early in the second. All in all I like the scenario.
