With The First Pick
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Are Jets seriously considering trade down after losing Trevor Lawrence?

By Felix Davila

The Jets practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. General Manager Joe Douglas.Delbarton Vs West Morris
The Jets practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. General Manager Joe Douglas.Delbarton Vs West Morris /
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The Jets practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. General Manager Joe Douglas. /

Are the Jets in play to make a draft day trade?

The New York Jets shocked the football world when they upset the likely playoff-bound Los Angeles Rams 23-20 last Sunday. But the victory was not simply joy and festivities in the postgame reaction to their win.

Many analysts, pundits, and fans alike condemned the victory because it, at least temporarily, lost the Jets the top overall selection in the coming 2021 NFL Draft and, theoretically, a shot at drafting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is seen by most in the NFL Draft community as being the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.

It would be unfortunate to lose out on a premium talent in most drafts, but it is understandably demoralizing for Jets fans if “Gang Green” misses out on a potential 15 year starter at the most important position in football. That begs the question: Which quarterback do the New York Jets draft now at second overall?

According to reporter and analyst Benjamin Allbright, there’s talk of the Jets moving in a different direction:

Allbright hears that it is likely that the Jets could, instead, trade themselves out of the second overall selection. This would be an astounding move signaling confidence in what Sam Darnold could become, especially considering current head coach Adam Gase has squandered his mentorship of Darnold and is likely to be fired this season. Such a move would also signal that the Jets would love a haul to build around him and elevate his game.

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Trades are not exactly rare

Trades like this aren’t out of the ordinary either, especially in recent years. Washington’s move to get Robert Griffin III in 2012 was a haul of picks to secure second overall. Then in 2016 alone, the Rams and Philadelphia Eagles both traded into the top two, and the Chicago Bears did similarly in 2017 to secure Mitchell Trubisky (unfortunately) at the third selection. The Jets could obtain a massive haul of picks and players, and in a draft that has several quality quarterbacks, there could be a bidding war for that second pick.

The Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and the Washington Football Team are all desperate for quarterback answers. If the Jets truly want to stick with Darnold, these are the five teams that could make a deal. Adding a bit of intrigue to the trade scenarios are that every one of the aforementioned teams are in the NFC. This gives the Jets some leverage, knowing they will not regularly face any of these franchises on a year-to-year basis.

Next. Mock Draft: Jaguars the new top dog, Steelers slipping down board. dark

Ultimately, the New York Jets are currently tied at 1-15 with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the worst record in the NFL, but the Jags edge out the gang green off of their worse strength of schedule. That top pick is not set in stone by any. means, and the NFL world has seen crazier things happen. Allbright does say that it is “more likely”, so it is obviously not a certainty. But it is certainly a situation to monitor as the season comes to an end.

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