The Jets currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, but there’s a chance New York trades down in an effort to stockpile additional draft capital.
If that happens, general manager Mike Maccagnan and company will have to adjust the team’s draft board. Elite prospects such as Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Kentucky outside linebacker Josh Allen will be out of reach, but there will still be plenty of talented prospects available for the taking.
With that being said, here are X players the Jets should consider if they trade back.
Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
By trading down, the Jets miss out on the chance to select Kentucky EDGE Josh Allen. However, New York will have its fair share of pass rushers to choose from in the middle of the first round.
Among them is Florida State product Brian Burns, who has the skill set to develop into a disruptive force off the edge. As a junior, Burns registered 52 tackles, 15.5 TFLs and 10 sacks despite being frequently double teamed.
Burns might never become an elite pass rusher due to his relatively slight frame. However, that should not cause the Jets, or any other team in need of an EDGE, to shy away from him.
Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
If it weren’t for health concerns, Montez Sweat would be right next to Josh Allen as one of the best pass rushers in this year’s draft class. However, an enlarged heart has teams shying away from the Mississippi State product.
In 2018, Sweat recorded 105 tackles and an eye-popping 23.5 sacks. He also dominated at the NFL draft combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash, the fastest time run by a defensive lineman in the history of the combine.
Sweat has been praised for his work ethic and love for the game, but his heart condition has reportedly forced at least 10 teams to remove him from their draft boards altogether. Are the Jets one of those teams? If not, Sweat should be a player New York considers heavily if it trades down.
Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Cornerback is an underrated position of need for the Jets. New York currently lacks a definitive No. 2 corner on its roster, but that could change with the selection of LSU’s Greedy Williams.
Once a consensus top-10 pick, Williams has slid down draft boards due to a lack of top-end speed. However, his coverage skills are off the charts and his length and physicality set him apart as the top cornerback in this year’s draft class over Washington’s Byron Murphy.
Odds are New York elects to wait until the third round to address the position. If the Jets want to make a splash and address the position in a trade down scenario in the first-round though, Williams should be the one they turn to.
Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
After failing to sign a center in free agency, the Jets find themselves in somewhat of a bind heading into the draft. New York seems comfortable rolling with Jonotthan Harrison as its starting center as it stands right now. However, Harrison is an unproven career backup and the Jets do not have any depth at the position.
That’s where Garrett Bradbury comes into play.
Thanks to an impressive showing at the senior bowl and a solid performance at the NFL combine, Bradbury has established himself as the top center in this year’s draft. The NC State product has the quickness and athleticism combined with the brute strength to thrive in both run and pass protection. Combine that with his football I.Q. and Bradbury could be a day one starter — one that sticks for a very long time.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
This is where things start to get interesting. The Jets lack a true No. 1 wide receiver and D.K. Metcalf has the physical traits to turn into a dominant force at the position. Whether or not he is worth the risk is the question that looms large.
Metcalf’s former Ole Miss teammate, AJ Brown, is the most polished wideout in this year’s draft class. However, he is not a physical freak like Metcalf and does not possess the same game-breaking potential.
Giving Sam Darnold a weapon like Metcalf could prove to be dangerous down the road. If he can evolve into the player many expect him to be, New York could wind up with a mid-round steal.
