NFL Insider: New York Jets Draft Trade Down Candidates

Thanks to the offseason additions made by general manager Joe Douglas, the New York Jets could trade down in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks at a press / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What will the New York Jets do in the upcoming NFL Draft? That is the major question after an offseason so far where they’ve already filled some holes on their roster. 

While the first pick is always the spot of envy, the Jets’ No. 10 pick could be considered one of the most intriguing selections. This year’s draft could see four quarterbacks taken off the board within the first 10 picks. This will be good news for a team like the Jets because the more quarterbacks ahead of them, the likelier players at other positions will fall. 

Despite the possibility of the Jets landing a top non-quarterback with the 10th pick, the latest report from ESPN’s Field Yates suggests they are seriously considering a trade-down strategy.

“What NFL teams think other NFL teams will do in the draft should not be interpreted as gospel, but when I ask team personnel about intriguing opponents picking in the top 10, two that come up often are the Chicago Bears and New York Jets,” Yates writes. “Why? … The Jets lack a second-round pick and have a plan now at both offensive tackle spots following an active offseason.”

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks at a press / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Interestingly enough, the three teams that pick after the Jets, the Minnesota Vikings (No. 11), Denver Broncos (No. 12), and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13), are all teams that could find themselves wanting to move in the draft. All of them would likely do so to take one of the remaining quarterbacks. 

It would’ve been hard to imagine the Jets being a trade-down candidate coming into the offseason, as they had big needs up front along the offensive line and were still linked with the potential of adding another playmaker to complement Garrett Wilson.

However, with the free-agent signing of Tyron Smith and trade for Morgan Moses, the Jets have fortified their offensive line by adding their two bookend offensive tackles. They also just recently acquired Haason Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, which seemingly takes edge rusher off the board as well. 

This leaves adding to the arsenal of weapons for take two of Aaron Rodgers' debut season in Gang Green as the only other standout “need.” This begs the question: Would it be better for the Jets to solve this need at No. 10, or could they do so later? 

It likely depends on the scenario. If only three quarterbacks have been taken leading up to the Jets’ pick, then trading down with one of the three teams behind them would make sense. However, if all four top quarterbacks are off the board, the Jets are better off taking the best weapon available at No. 10 rather than risking losing out on their target.