Mike Maccagnan made it known the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick is available for the right price, and it looks as though the GM will at least pursue potential trades to move down in the draft and acquire more assets.
Currently, the Jets are still in need of an edge rusher, a center, a cornerback, a nose tackle and several other positions of depth. While there will be a great prospect for the Jets to draft at No. 3, it might make more sense to trade back and grab more picks in the early rounds considering how many holes the Jets still need to fill on the roster. Doing so could accelerate the Jets’ rebuild, and teams like the Colts in 2018 have proven to make big improvements with a great draft.
With that in mind, here are the top four potential trade-down partners for the Jets.
New York Giants (pick No. 6)
The Jets and Giants have never traded with each other in the past, but this time might be different given the Giants’ need for a franchise quarterback.
The Jets could easily be in line for one of several enticing quarterbacks with the third pick. Kyler Murray could still be on the board at No. 3 if the Cardinals don’t pick him at No. 1, but a more likely scenario is Dwayne Haskins or Drew Lock sitting there for a team to pick. The Giants need to find Eli Manning’s replacement as soon as possible, and they might need to trade up to ensure they get the player they want.
With two first-round picks and 12 total selections in 2019, the Giants have the draft capital to make the trade if they think someone else may swoop in for their projected target. The Jets would still be able to find a top-tier talent with the sixth pick and would take home extra assets in the process.
Washington Redskins (pick No. 15)
Another quarterback-hungry team, the Redskins may want to explore trading up to find their future signal caller. They traded for Case Keenum this offseason but would be wise to invest in a young quarterback if Keenum doesn’t pan out (he also only has one year left on his contract). The Redskins could also use another edge rusher after Preston Smith joined the Packers this offseason.
It would take a lot for the Redskins to move up from No. 15 to No. 3, but the package might be enticing enough for the Jets to pull the trigger. A trade with the Redskins would almost assuredly take the Jets out of contention for some of the better defensive talent, but solid prospects like edge rusher Brian Burns, cornerback Greedy Williams and center Garrett Bradbury might still be on the board in the middle of the first round.
Atlanta Falcons (pick No. 14)
The Falcons don’t need a quarterback, but they do need pass rushing help, and this draft is chalk full of that. Atlanta could wait back and hope a good edge defender falls to No. 14, or the Falcons could make a big leap up to No. 3 and ensure they get the guy they want.
The Falcons have been known to be aggressive in recent drafts – they’ve traded up in the first round four times since 2008 and as recently as 2017 – so there’s no reason to believe they wouldn’t in 2019 if GM Thomas Dimitroff falls in love with a player.
Cincinnati Bengals (pick No. 11)
The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the NFL this past season and may want to secure a future stud in their front-seven by moving up eight spots in the draft.
Or, new Bengals coach and former QB coach Zac Taylor may want to find a new franchise quarterback to replace Andy Dalton, and he would certainly find him with the No. 3 pick. Dwayne Haskins is an Ohio State product and could thrive by staying in the state he played college ball.
Either way, the Bengals need a superstar somewhere as they begin a new era under Taylor.
