How Jets can go From Rags to Riches on Draft Day

[JetNation]

For the first time in decades, the New York Jets have a quarterback under center who gives the franchise a legitimate reason to believe that they finally have an answer at the position in Sam Darnold.  With this being the case, the team can finally start to build around a quarterback who is worth investing in for the long haul.

One potential problem in doing so as the NFL draft approaches is that the Jets have just 40 players under contract when the new league year starts according to overthecap.com.  How can the Jets look to go from six picks to eight, nine or ten?  Let’s take a look.

With the third overall pick, the Jets could find themselves in the driver’s seat on draft day.  Having Darnold under contract and several teams picking in the top half of the first round needing a QB, the Jets could be the beneficiary of a bidding war to move up in to the top three or four.

Expect Jets GM Mike Maccagnan to be working the phones come draft time.

With the New York Giants (6th), Jacksonville Jaguars (7th), Denver Broncos (10th), Cincinnati Bengals (11th), Miami Dolphins (13th), Washington Redskins (15th), Tennessee Titans (19th), and Oakland Raiders (4th, 24th, 27th) possibly in the QB market for a variety of reasons, the Jets could be in position to trade down on more than one occasion.

The Jets could use that third pick to move down to sixth or seventh with the Jaguars or Giants respectively, and then explore another move down to a team such as the Bengals or Redskins who would certainly have to give up multiple picks to move up and take a quarterback.  Assuming multiple trade downs is a bit much, so for the sake of keeping this realistic, we’ll say the Jags beat the Giants to the punch and give the Jets their 1st round pick (7th), their 2nd round pick (38th) and their 4th (102) in 2019, along with their 2020 4th round pick.  This would be the minimum asking price that would two additional picks for the Jets, giving them a total of eight.  Any additional moves down shouldn’t be ruled out, but again, we won’t take it that far.

Another way the Jets could realistically add a pick would be through their approach with wide receiver Robby Anderson, a restricted free agent who is one of the NFL’s premier deep threats and could earn a first or second round tender from Gang Green.  The Raiders are the wild card here as a team with three fist round picks in what is viewed as  a weak receiver class.  Anderson would give the Raiders an immediate impact player while giving up just a single pick. Anderson has shown what he can do as a deep threat through his first three seasons in the league, and in the season’s closing weeks, the Jets finally asked him to run a complete route tree, resulting in the best four-game stretch of his career.  Surely teams will have taken notice of the fact that Anderson has been limited more by his quarterback play and what  he has been asked to do than he has been by his raw talent.

Leonard Williams has been a good player for the Jets, but has fallen short of expectations.

A couple of other trade possibilities could arise during the offseason if new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams doesn’t like what he sees on film from Leonard Williams.  If the new coordinator isn’t wowed by Leo, the team should look to unload his bloated 2019 salary to a team that believes they can get more out of him than the Jets can.  Given his lack of production and entering the final year of his contract, Williams wouldn’t be likely to command very much in  a trade.  Perhaps a mid-round pick?

Finally, with the Jets expected to move from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3, it could make outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins the odd man out unless Williams thinks he can get him to be productive as a rotational defensive end.  If not, a young 3-4 linebacker coming off of a seven sack season despite shaky secondary play would certainly be able to net the Jets another middle or late round pick or two.

Add it all together, and the Jets could add a couple of picks by moving down, another pick for Anderson, a pick or two for Williams and the same goes for Jordan Jenkins.  Should things play out that way or anything close to it, Jets fans will hope Mike Maccagnan finds more picks along the lines of Darnold, Jamal Adams, Chris Herndon and Brandon Shell than ArDarius Stewart, Chad Hansen and Christian Hackenberg, but only time will tell.

There will be no shortage of speculation from now until draft day as the event approaches, but for once, the Jets are in a position to move down and allow another team to take a quarterback instead of frantically trying to move up to get one themselves.  Draft day will definitely have a different feel for Jets fans this season, and the change should be a welcome one.

 

 

 

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[rangerous]

huge burden on mac considering past performance. totally agree on trading down if the opportunity arises.  hopefully they can get a 10 or higher pick plus a good second rounder (33-40).  that should get them two really good players.

[jamesr]

One thing I'll be interested to see is what sort of pre-draft rumours & smoke screens come out about QBs. The Jets could potentially influence this by carefully placed stories about trade interest.

Having Oakland pick after us adds another element to this. Raiders may want to pick a QB - none of the current top 3 are likely to, having just signed / drafted "their guy" very recently. So if a team like Jax or Cincy etc are high on one QB in particular they may have to consider getting above Oakland. Hello Jets.

How much can the Jets FO influence this? It'll be interesting to watch. Every rumour about the Carr / Gruden relationship can play a part in the overall game.

 

[edscuba]

Did you mention Christian Hackenberg as a good draft pick? Lookout and duck.   Oh, missed one word THAN . Makes Hugh difference. 

[Maxman]

2 minutes ago, edscuba said:

Did you mention Christian Hackenberg as a good draft pick? Lookout and duck. 

Hack is in the 2nd part of that sentence. But no need to duck though, Hack will throw it over your head even if you are standing up straight.

[Sarge4Tide]

We should all hope 2 QBs emerge as highly coveted picks - 1 is virtually guaranteed to become "the" hot prospect and #1 pick contender.  If a 2nd QB emerges, then we are sitting pretty for a trade down.

[14 in Green]

UGH. Beyond the beaten to death, yet improbable move to 6 or 7, the article reaches WFAN fan proposed deal level as another second move back is floated for even more picks. Then we get to the Williams and Anderson moves. Take a look at how many DL and WRs are projected to go in the first two days of this years draft. Then look again at what the Giants got back mid season for Snacks Harrison and Eli Apple. Then get realistic about what we could get for either Leo or Robbie. Harrison is arguably a better player then Leo, and Apple is a 1st round, young CB as opposed to Robbie, an undrafted WR who teams would look at as maybe a 3rd, possibly a 2nd WR. I get that its a slow week for NFL talk, but lets try to do better.

[roscoeword]

Thought it was a good draft for receivers, this article said otherwise. 

[NYallDay]

DO NOT TRADE ROBBY ANDERSON... one of the very few playmakers we have. Resign him or put a first round tender on him and hope no one signs him.


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[NYallDay]

Thought it was a good draft for receivers, this article said otherwise. 

I believe the wrs are looked at as decent, above average no good to great prospects. I could be wrong.


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[Jetsplayer21]

3 minutes ago, NYallDay said:

DO NOT TRADE ROBBY ANDERSON... one of the very few playmakers we have. Resign him or put a first round tender on him and hope no one signs him.


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Lol no way is someone giving up a first for Robbie Anderson 

[HighPitch]

17 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

We should all hope 2 QBs emerge as highly coveted picks - 1 is virtually guaranteed to become "the" hot prospect and #1 pick contender.  If a 2nd QB emerges, then we are sitting pretty for a trade down.

Its already started..... last mock i read had 3 qbs going in the first 12 picks. 

This is a weird year. Screw the chart id be happy to just move from 3 to 9 and gain a second rounder. Mac has got to make this happen

[#27TheDominator]

The Jets have almost no players under contract, but they are going to move Robby Anderson, Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins for picks?  They are basically 3 of the 5 or 6 decent players on the roster.

[14 in Green]

38 minutes ago, jamesr said:

One thing I'll be interested to see is what sort of pre-draft rumours & smoke screens come out about QBs. The Jets could potentially influence this by carefully placed stories about trade interest.

Having Oakland pick after us adds another element to this. Raiders may want to pick a QB - none of the current top 3 are likely to, having just signed / drafted "their guy" very recently. So if a team like Jax or Cincy etc are high on one QB in particular they may have to consider getting above Oakland. Hello Jets.

How much can the Jets FO influence this? It'll be interesting to watch. Every rumour about the Carr / Gruden relationship can play a part in the overall game.

 

Carr is a better QB then anyone in this years draft class. If what you think about the Gruden/Carr relationship is true, which I don't, this isn't the year they make the change. The next two drafts have a lot more QB talent, and don't forget the Raiders have 2 first rounders next year also.

[varjet]

As we saw in 2017, trading down does not work if you have bad scouting.  More picks just means more bad picks.  The lower you pick, the harder it is.  

[14 in Green]

25 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

The Jets have almost no players under contract, but they are going to move Robby Anderson, Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins for picks?  They are basically 3 of the 5 or 6 decent players on the roster.

I know, its beyond dumb. Add in the fact that DL and WR are positions of need for this team. This article suggests trading the 2 best we have at those positions for picks. Wouldn't we then need to spend those picks to then get replacements who we'd have to hope were as good just to consider these lateral moves?

[NYallDay]

Lol no way is someone giving up a first for Robbie Anderson 

Exactly why you tender him with it and resign him


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[joenamathwouldn'tcry]

The first part of this solution is the only part that seems to be the answer.  Trading down from the three is going to be an imperative need for the Jets to dramatically restructure this roster this off season.  As has been  noted, and is a cold reality, free  agency is going to be an exercise where we are going to have to pay a lot in order to receive little.  The "cap" money will help to improve this roster, but unfortunately will go only so far.  That fact helps to illustrate several faults in the logic of trading, Williams and Jenkins for middle round draft picks. Sacrificing what had been the #6 overall pick and a top of the 3rd round draft to reap two middle round  picks is too big a price to pay, for a team so lacking in talent.  Better to try to "reclaim" Williams and attempt to mold him into the "force" on the defense we thought we were drafting. A short term, " prove it" contract is in order.  Jenkins future will be determined by the new coaching staff, but to move him just for the sake of "new blood" in a lesser draft slot doesn't make sense.  Which brings us to Anderson.  Flipping him for a first round pick is not a realistic goal, and reaping a 2nd would be foolish. On a team bereft of wide receiver talent it makes no sense to trade a talented but troubled young player who has produced and shows only upside going forward.  Re-sign him.  I firmly believe that the Jets will be in a strong position, come draft day to trade down with Haskins and possibly other desirable picks being dangled for potential trading partners. That is the way to go.

[BornJetsFan1983]

Dont trade R Anderson???? Seriously??? Screw Robnie Anderson. He sucks. Inconsistent,  diva before he has done anything. He can catch a long ball sure, but not better than anyone else, did you guys not see him in all his do nothing games or drop catchable passes all year. If someone want to pay us acting like he is anything other than a sceholder WR with average talent let them.

Seriously.  Give me a break with this guy. The only way our team gets better is holding onto guys that buy in and are better than average. Robbie is not either of those things.

Enuwa on the other hand is the only WR worth keeping. And even then he is just an average starting WR. But at least he is a complete receiver. 

I love to get anything for robbie so we can draft a guy that might have a higher ceiling.

The only reason robbie is seen as good is because of the QBs throwing to him that year, he made DeSean Jackson look awesome this year in a couple games too just like Robbie. It was just play calls and the QBs not giving any ****s chucking up there.

 

[Charlie Brown]

1 hour ago, NYallDay said:

DO NOT TRADE ROBBY ANDERSON... one of the very few playmakers we have. Resign him or put a first round tender on him and hope no one signs him.


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Thank you! 

The Jets don’t have first tier WR talent now so we should work to get rid of the best WR we have?

Ummmmm makes no sense.....

[Sonny Werblin]

1 hour ago, Sarge4Tide said:

We should all hope 2 QBs emerge as highly coveted picks - 1 is virtually guaranteed to become "the" hot prospect and #1 pick contender.  If a 2nd QB emerges, then we are sitting pretty for a trade down.

Sarge gets it. This is the gold medal scenario for the Jets because the #3 pick will likely be on of the 2 QBs or Bosa meaning it is worth more than the usual #3 overall pick. 

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

1 hour ago, #27TheDominator said:

The Jets have almost no players under contract, but they are going to move Robby Anderson, Leonard Williams and Jordan Jenkins for picks?  They are basically 3 of the 5 or 6 decent players on the roster.

Also moot because we can’t get picks for those guys anyway.

[CrazyCarl40]

You can’t go from rags to riches when the guy outfitting you flunked out of fashion school. It’s insane to me that 5 years later people just think the light is going to come on for this putrid excuse for a GM. Good gravy. 

[Sonny Werblin]

Just now, Charlie Brown said:

Thank you! 

The Jets don’t have first tier WR talent now so we should work to get rid of the best WR we have?

Ummmmm makes no sense.....

They should pursue Cole Beasley. Than with Q and Robbie the top 3 are at least respectable.

[BornJetsFan1983]

38 minutes ago, varjet said:

As we saw in 2017, trading down does not work if you have bad scouting.  More picks just means more bad picks.  The lower you pick, the harder it is.  

Haha well you do have a point but we can't bet against  our own drafting. Most teams miss in the draft not us and the reverse argument and with more picks the more chance to hit the lottery.

I would love us to take the top pass rusher or RB in the draft. I am glad we took darnold last year but look at all the RB at the top of the draft, they all turned out awesome pretty much. We get an RB in the draft would be awesome.

[#27TheDominator]

1 minute ago, Miss Lonelyhearts said:

Also moot because we can’t get picks for those guys anyway.

3rd day picks are still picks!

[BornJetsFan1983]

2 minutes ago, Charlie Brown said:

Thank you! 

The Jets don’t have first tier WR talent now so we should work to get rid of the best WR we have?

Ummmmm makes no sense.....

How does it make sense to act like he is a wr1? He is a gimmick wr . Sure he looked good a couple time but he is not even best WR on our team. 

I seriously  dont get all the love for him. Sorry two catches a game is not good even it it was for a couple jump balls TDs. I rather have a guy that gets open more often than not and potentially can win games for us regularly. Right now he is just a gimmick hail Mary. Well any talk receiver can do that. 

Sorry I just dont buy it and think you guys are just used to such bad WR play that you evaluate his talent alot higher than anyone else would.

[nycdan]

49 minutes ago, 14 in Green said:

Carr is a better QB then anyone in this years draft class. If what you think about the Gruden/Carr relationship is true, which I don't, this isn't the year they make the change. The next two drafts have a lot more QB talent, and don't forget the Raiders have 2 first rounders next year also.

Khalil Mack was a better pass rusher than anyone in this year's draft class.  Didn't stop Gruden from trading him.  You're not wrong, but it doesn't have to make sense when you're talking about Gruden.

[rangerous]

1 hour ago, jamesr said:

One thing I'll be interested to see is what sort of pre-draft rumours & smoke screens come out about QBs. The Jets could potentially influence this by carefully placed stories about trade interest.

Having Oakland pick after us adds another element to this. Raiders may want to pick a QB - none of the current top 3 are likely to, having just signed / drafted "their guy" very recently. So if a team like Jax or Cincy etc are high on one QB in particular they may have to consider getting above Oakland. Hello Jets.

How much can the Jets FO influence this? It'll be interesting to watch. Every rumour about the Carr / Gruden relationship can play a part in the overall game.

 

i'm thinking gruden isn't so pleased with carr but it should be pointe out that carr had his best season thus far. it's kind of hard to believe they make a change.  but i can certainly see them taking a qb high if they see one they like.

[Fantasy Island]

In late April, Mac is abducted on Thursday morning and released on Monday morning with no memory of what happened.  That's how we have a good draft.

[Jet Nut]

28 minutes ago, BornJetsFan1983 said:

Dont trade R Anderson???? Seriously??? Screw Robnie Anderson. He sucks. Inconsistent,  diva before he has done anything. He can catch a long ball sure, but not better than anyone else, did you guys not see him in all his do nothing games or drop catchable passes all year. If someone want to pay us acting like he is anything other than a sceholder WR with average talent let them.

Seriously.  Give me a break with this guy. The only way our team gets better is holding onto guys that buy in and are better than average. Robbie is not either of those things.

Enuwa on the other hand is the only WR worth keeping. And even then he is just an average starting WR. But at least he is a complete receiver. 

I love to get anything for robbie so we can draft a guy that might have a higher ceiling.

The only reason robbie is seen as good is because of the QBs throwing to him that year, he made DeSean Jackson look awesome this year in a couple games too just like Robbie. It was just play calls and the QBs not giving any ****s chucking up there.

 

A diva who sucks and you would trade for anyone?

There's a reason fans are on the internet and GMs get paid.  You don't give away him because you think he can't develop into a better WR

[14 in Green]

22 minutes ago, nycdan said:

Khalil Mack was a better pass rusher than anyone in this year's draft class.  Didn't stop Gruden from trading him.  You're not wrong, but it doesn't have to make sense when you're talking about Gruden.

The Raiders will be an interesting team to watch as far as their rebuild goes. I'm thinking Gruden is a lot more savvy then I did when he was hired. I love the move getting Mayock as a GM who will evaluate the talent available both in the draft and FA. I also think Gruden saw what he was up against in a division with both San Diego and Kansas City this past season. He realized even with Mack and Amari Cooper on his team the Raiders weren't going to be more then a 7-8 win team.

Now he has 3 first round picks (although why he tried to win a game that moved him from 1st to 4th in the draft is beyond me) this year, a high second, and two more 1sts next year. They have a chance to completely revamp their roster with young, premium talent these next two drafts, and with the long term commitment the Raiders have made to him, Gruden is in a rare position to take a long range view of rebuilding his team, rather then look for quick fixes. But to your point about Gruden, he's a bit of a wild card in this equation, so I think the Mayock influence is critical.  I see this as either a huge boom or bust scenario about to unfold, but one that will be fascinating to follow.

[LES]

1 hour ago, NYallDay said:

DO NOT TRADE ROBBY ANDERSON... one of the very few playmakers we have. Resign him or put a first round tender on him and hope no one signs him.


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Robbie is coming into his own. He needs to be paired with a #1 WR a Julio Jones, Greene, Dez type WR in their prime. Tyrel Williams looks like the real deal. A combo of Williams, Robbie, Herndon, Burkett and signing Humphries or Beasley and you have an extremely versatile set of wr’s that can be difficult to cover for opposing defenses. 

[nycdan]

In the first three weeks after Sam got back into the starting lineup, Robby put up the following stat lines.  Yep...looks like a bum to me.

Date Week Opp Result Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Ctch% Y/Tgt 12/9/2018 14 BUF W 27-23 7 4 76 19 1 57.10% 10.86 12/15/2018 15 HOU L 22-29 11 7 96 13.71 1 63.60% 8.73 12/23/2018 16 GNB L 38-44 13 9 140 15.56 1 69.20% 10.77

[LES]

1 hour ago, Jetsplayer21 said:

Lol no way is someone giving up a first for Robbie Anderson 

That’s why you put the first round tender on him so no one bites and we keep him. Put a 2nd and it becomes iffy and a desperate team, like us, steals him.