Jets Predicted To Swing Blockbuster Trade To Boost Justin Fields' Supporting Cast

The Jets may look to trade up in the NFL Draft if the right player drops too far.
Aug 14, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets helmets are seen during the second half of the game between the New York Giants and the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Aug 14, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets helmets are seen during the second half of the game between the New York Giants and the Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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The New York Jets signed free agent quarterback Justin Fields to be the team's new franchise signal caller, but they haven't done very much to boost the supporting cast around him.

Luckily for New York, the NFL Draft is coming up and it could add some serious talent to the offense through the draft.

Christopher Hennessy of ClutchPoints recently predicted the Jets would trade up from pick No. 42 to pick No. 31 in order to select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons after Simmons falls well beyond his pre-draft projection.

"As the first round goes on, there are not many offensive tackles taken. Will Campbell goes first after the Browns trade up, Armand Membou goes to the Bears at ten, and Kelvin Banks Jr follows him at 11 to San Francisco," Hennessy wrote. "As Ohio State’s Josh Simmons keeps dropping, the Jets make their move. Mougey trades the 42nd pick and a 2026 second-rounder to jump up to 31 and take Simmons.

"The trade is with the Kansas City Chiefs, who take running back Omarion Hampton with the 42nd pick. A second-rounder is a high price to pay but the Jets need another tackle. Simmons has a first-round grade from Pro Football Focus and had the best pass-block win rate of any draft-eligible tackle last year. Moving up 12 spots to grab him is risky, but getting the right tackle for the future is important."

If the Jets don't select an offensive lineman with their No. 7 overall pick, this is a real possibility. New York needs to boost the offensive line in front of Fields or else the team will be in the same boat that the Chicago Bears were in with Fields.

Simmons has top of the first-round potential, so it may be worth it to trade a slew of picks to move back into the first-round to select him. Mock draft trades are very hard to predict, but in this scenario, it could make some sense.

More NFL: Jets Predicted To Pair Justin Fields With $14 Million Star Free Agent


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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "New York Jets On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org