2018 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets 3-round mock 5.0

There’s no better time of the year than NFL mock draft season! Let’s take a look at how the first three rounds could play out for the New York Jets.

If you read an NFL mock draft, more often than not, that writer has the New York Jets selecting a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Jets drafting Baker Mayfield in his 2018 mock draft 2.0. But what if Gang Green signs Kirk Cousins?

According to reports, the Jets are willing to do whatever it takes to make Cousins their next franchise quarterback this offseason. If they succeed, they won’t be drafting a quarterback in the first round this year, if at all.

If they’re not drafting a quarterback, where do they go? The Jets could add a pass rusher, but Bradley Chubb likely won’t be available. They could draft an offensive lineman but Quenton Nelson should be off the board and there aren’t any offensive tackles worthy of the No. 6 pick. Cornerback? Perhaps, but after using their top two picks on defensive backs last year, they should look elsewhere in the first round this year.

What if they traded back? If Chubb and Nelson are off the board when the Jets are on the clock, they should move back, add draft picks, and target certain prospects later in the draft when they have better value.

With Cousins on board, the Jets won’t need a quarterback, but the Arizona Cardinals do. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants could take Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen off the board and the Denver Broncos could take either Baker Mayfield or Josh Allen. Whoever the Broncos don’t draft will be available at No. 6 and the Cardinals could be looking to move up and draft him.

Here’s how the trade works out:

Arizona Cardinals receive: 2018 first-round pick (No. 6 overall)

New York Jets receive: 2018 first-round pick (No. 15 overall), 2018 fifth-round pick (No. 143), 2019 first-round pick, 2019 fourth-round pick

The Cardinals are able to draft their franchise quarterback, whether that be Mayfield or Allen. Arizona needs to make their move if they want to get Larry Fitzgerald back to the playoffs before he retires.

The Jets move back just nine picks and will find more value in prospects at positions of need at pick No. 15. The extra fifth-round pick this year may seem insignificant but the real reward here is adding an extra first-round pick next year. New York can use their two 2019 first-round picks to surround Cousins with weapons or add talent to their defense.

Having two second-round picks thanks to the Sheldon Richardson trade allows the Jets to add a 2019 first rounder instead of trying for a 2018 mid-round pick.

So let’s see what the New York Jets could do after trading back in the first round.