The Jets need a home run draft to accelerate their rebuild, and it starts with the No. 3 overall pick.
There are plenty of options for the Jets, and Mike Maccagnan and company would be wise to explore all options. Luckily, Gang Green doesn’t need a quarterback, so that can be crossed off the list of potential picks.
But with so many gaps in the roster, the Jets shouldn’t be so quick to just select the best player available. Maccagnan has already expressed his desire to explore trading the pick, and we’ve discussed sensible trade partners for the Jets. However, if New York doesn’t get a solid package for a top-three pick, they could stay firm and just grab a player who fits its scheme.
It’s impossible to predict how draft night will shake out, but the Jets can dream big and hope for the best. Here are the most ideal scenarios.
Nick Bosa falls to the Jets at No. 3
It’s highly unlikely both the Cardinals and 49ers pass on arguably the best player in the draft, but the Jets would immediately swoop in and grab Bosa at No. 3 if that happens.
The Cardinals appear to be in love with Kyler Murray, and if they aren’t, someone else could easily trade up to No. 1 to take the Oklahoma gunslinger. The 49ers are in need of defensive help, but they might be more interested in solidifying their interior defensive line by taking nose tackle Quinnen Williams. The other option, of course, is a quarterback-desperate team swooping up to the No. 2 spot to take the next-best quarterback if Murray goes to the Cardinals.
Either of those situations would be ideal for the Jets, and it would be yet another draft where the best player falls right into their lap.
Trade back but stay in the top 10
There are a couple of teams still in the top 10 that could trade up with the Jets. The Raiders at No. 4 and Giants at No. 6 come to mind, but even the Buccaneers at No. 5 or Broncos at No. 10 might be interested in moving up to draft a quarterback or premier defensive talent.
If the Jets can trade back, acquire more picks and stay in the top 10, it’ll be the best-case scenario for a team littered with holes. This draft is loaded with edge rushers, and the Jets don’t need to pull the trigger on one at No. 3 if they can stockpile draft capital and still grab a great talent. Pass rushers like Brian Burns and Montez Sweat will surely be available even if the Jets trade back, as well as other solid players at other positions.
Trade back and acquire a future first-round pick
Any team that wants to trade anywhere from the middle of the draft up to the No. 3 pick will need to include more than just a couple of second-round picks, and the Jets would be wise to listen to offers that include a future first-rounder.
The Jets would most likely miss out on a top-tier talent if they traded down into the back-half of the draft, but it could be worth it if they get a monster package in return. Even still, there are plenty of players the Jets could still use that would be available late in the draft, including cornerback Greedy Williams from LSU or center Garrett Bradbury from N.C. State.
Draft LB Josh Allen at No. 3
If Bosa doesn’t fall to the Jets or they don’t trade out of the pick, selecting Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen would be the next best thing. Allen is a great fit in Gregg Williams’ defense and he’d solve the Jets’ pass-rushing dilemma they failed to address in free agency.
Alabama’s Quinnen Williams is another solid option with the third pick, and if Allen goes No. 2 to the 49ers he would be a great fallback option if the Jets stay put at No. 3.
Even if the Jets can’t find a way to turn the third pick into more players, grabbing one of the top-two best edge rushers isn’t a terrible consolation prize.
