New York Jets: Khalil Mack trade is a nice idea but would cost too much

Trading for Khalil Mack would certainly be exciting for New York Jets fans but he would cost far too much to be worth it in the long run.

Imagine seeing Khalil Mack in a New York Jets uniform. Just close your eyes and picture it for a second. How cool would that be?

The Jets would finally have a game-changing pass rusher. Mack is a guy that has posted double-digit sacks over the past three seasons, including 15 back in 2015. He is a Pro Bowl player in each of the last three seasons and is a first team All-Pro twice. Mack is also only 27 years old.

Who wouldn’t want this guy on their team?

What if the possibility were to become real? Should the Jets do it? Well, the chances of it becoming real are slim, but it’s not impossible at this point.

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If you follow the NFL you know that Khalil Mack has not reported to the Raiders and there is no end to the dispute in sight.

As of the end of July, per Ian Rapoport the two sides had not talked since Februrary.

What if he becomes available via trade. Should the Jets put together a package and go after this guy?

Rich Cimini from ESPN does believe that they should. The Jets have acknowledged the need and believes that if Mack is available, Maccagnan should be on the phone.

Now I do agree that the Jets would have to explore it. Nobody out there would fill the need for a pass rusher better than Mack.

But listen to this from Cimini’s article which will take you into why they shouldn’t make the move:

"If they put him on the block, they’d demand at least a first-round pick."

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That, my friends, is exactly the point. They would have to give up their first round pick in 2019, almost guaranteed. That wouldn’t be the end of the compensation either.

I guess the Raiders could become so frustrated that they get rid of him for a lesser package, but that just doesn’t seem likely.

The Jets, remember, don’t have a second round pick in 2019. Not having a first round pick either could be deadly.

The offensive line must be a high priority in the 2019 draft. For all intents and purposes they now have their quarterback so they have to spend resources to keep him upright.

Starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum is still in a walking boot. The line is far from a finished product. The Jets have been shuffling the first team line throughout the preseason so far. That isn’t a great long-term recipe for success.

If the Jets make this trade for Mack, the defense would jump to the next level. The offensive line will suffer and that is why the Jets can’t do it. They need to think long-term, and that means your franchise quarterback.

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