Why New York Jets Need to Give Sheldon Richardson More Playing Time

The New York Jets are a team in transition to say the least. With few wins expected, the Jets need to use this season to get their stud defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson more playing time.

Let’s face it. When looking at the New York Jets 2017 roster, it’s clear that they do not have the talent to compete this upcoming season. As the team prepares to rebuild during this season, the Jets should look to take advantage of their deepest unit to help for the future.

The New York Jets have made it clear for almost a year that they’ve wanted to move defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and almost traded him to the Dallas Cowboys at last year’s trade deadline. However, Richardson’s suspensions and declining sack numbers over the past two seasons have hurt the stock of the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and are why the team hasn’t been able to move him over the past year.

Even though Leonard Williams is the crown jewel of the defensive line, New York would be wise to give Sheldon Richardson the bulk of playing time on the defensive line, even over Muhammad Wilkerson, for two reasons.

First, it could benefit Wilkerson who had an underwhelming 2016 season after a gruesome leg injury in the 2015 finale. This year, the Jets should start Wilkerson off slowly and allow Richardson to get more playing time instead of rushing Wilkerson into the season.

The second and most important reason why the team should give Richardson more playing time on the defensive line, rather than trying to have him stand up as an outside linebacker like they’ve been doing, is to raise Richardson’s stock to deal him at the trade deadline. With Richardson proving he cannot be a standup linebacker in a 3-4, the New York Jets could get a decent offer if Richardson thrives in the first few weeks in the DE/DT role he was meant to play.

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Think about it. If Sheldon Richardson has a fast start and shows his ability to rush the passer as a 3-4 end, a team in contention could finally pull the trigger and give the Jets the draft picks they are looking for. While I can’t see a team giving up a first round pick, it’s not hard to imagine a team dealing a second round pick or a few mid-round picks to add Richardson to their defense.

The Cowboys have expressed interest over the past year in Sheldon Richardson and if their defense struggles, Jerry Jones, an aggressive owner and general manager, could make a trade for what he thinks would be the missing piece to a possible Super Bowl-contending roster.

Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension will affect the Cowboys defense. The offense will not be able to control the time of possession like they have in the past and will result in the defense having to play more snaps.

With a myriad of suspensions on defense and Jones’ willingness to take chances on players who have had past suspensions, it would make sense, if Richardson is playing well, for the Cowboys to send the Jets a second round pick in exchange for the Pro Bowl defensive linemen.

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This would improve the Cowboys defense while giving the Jets the cap space and draft picks they covet. The New York Jets should give Sheldon Richardson every opportunity to thrive early so that they can finally get the blue chip trade they have been looking for.