Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Jets Rumors: Unlikely to trade for first overall pick?

By Nick Ziegler

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jordan Brailford (94) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (78) blocks Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Jordan Brailford (94) during the second quarter in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Recent New York Jets rumors have been about the Jets’ interest in the first overall pick, but do they have a realistic chance of obtaining it?

The recent retirement of D’Brickashaw Ferguson will likely help the Jets re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, but it will also create a big hole at the left tackle position. With free agency all but over, the Jets will likely have to address the left tackle position in the NFL Draft. Draftinsider.net first reported that the Jets were interested in moving all the way up to the first pick in the draft.

According to Rich Cimini, he doesn’t see the Jets making the huge leap to obtain the Titans’ pick.

"@RichCimini: I think you’re alluding to an item from Tony Pauline, a blogger whose specialty is the draft. He said the Jets are one of four teams that have inquired about moving up to No. 1. I don’t doubt they called the Tennessee Titans, but context is important. General Manager Mike Maccagnan has said on multiple occasions he usually reaches out to every team leading up to the draft, gauging potential interest in trading.Could the Jets trade up from 20th to first? It’s highly unlikely. To jump to the top of the draft, they’d probably have to give up their two biggest assets, the 20th pick, and Muhammad Wilkerson — and probably their first-round pick in 2017. Another issue: Would Wilkerson want to play for the Titans? Remember, he has a lot of say in the matter because he’d have to agree to a long-term contract before a trade went down. I suppose they could make him an offer he couldn’t refuse; they certainly have enough cap room.I can’t see the Jets giving up their best defensive player and two premium picks for the right to draft one player. The Jets are an older, win-now team, so they should be accumulating draft picks, not trading them away. It might be a different story if they had a chance to get the bluest of blue-chip quarterback prospects, but that guy doesn’t exist in this draft. Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are well-regarded, but would you mortgage your future to pick one? Don’t think so.I think I just answered your question about Laremy Tunsil, the consensus top tackle in the draft. If trading up for a quarterback is cost prohibitive, it certainly makes no sense to pay a king’s ransom for an offensive lineman. Tunsil would be an ideal replacement for Ferguson on the quarterback’s blind side, but let’s be realistic. He’s beyond their reach.It wouldn’t shock me if the Jets moved up a few spots to grab a highly rated player, but I think Maccagnan, looking at the big picture, will exercise restraint."

The price for the first overall pick is a lot, and if it is Tunsil that the Jets are interested in, it would be a difficult pill to swallow losing a lot of assets to draft a left tackle. The Jets may have to move up slightly in the draft to get a left tackle, as they aren’t in the range of Ronnie Stanley, but may have Taylor Decker fall into their lap with the 20th pick.

More ny sports: Who is the best first round pick in franchise history?

Maccagnan had a very good 2015 NFL Draft with Leonard Williams falling to the Jets’ pick, but this season he may need to get creative to get the team a left tackle.

Home/Jets Rumors