Trade Up! How Can Jets Acquire Top Tackle In Draft?

Trading up for a top tackle should be something the New York Jets explore in April's Draft. How can Gang Green get a deal done?

The 2024 NFL draft class is full of top targets at tackle. While most of the group can be considered sure-fire starters on the right side of the line, only two can be considered "plug and play" starters on the left side. 

That poses a unique challenge for the New York Jets.

Michael Karas / NorthJersey.com

Coming into the draft with the 10th overall pick, Gang Green should be set nicely to acquire a strong offensive linemen. Whether that is Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga, Alabama's JC Latham, or others. To secure the likes of Penn State's Olu Fashanu or Notre Dame's Joe Alt, though, it's likely New York will need to trade up.

If New York needs to trade up, the compensation they'll need to dish out will be of great importance. As of now, the Jets have five selections in the 2024 Draft with three compensatory picks expected to be added. They do not own a second-round pick but own two fourth-rounders. 

While most draft experts believe the quarterback position will be taken with the first three picks, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected with the Arizona Cardinals, picks 5-10 are far more clouded. 

Teams like the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans could all look to draft an offensive lineman. They also could trade out of their spot for a team that is looking to select Michigan's own JJ McCarthy. Should that happen, the Jets could very well be in a position to have possibly either Fashanu or Alt fall to pick seven or eight. 

Should that happen, New York has the necessary draft capital to field a trade up to as high as seventh overall. According to DraftTek.com, a site that details the worth of draft picks from a value standpoint, the Titans' pick at seven is valued at 1500. The Jets at 10 are valued at 1300. 

A potential trade up to seventh could cost the Jets a pick swap, as well as a fourth-round pick (70 points), and a 2025 fourth-rounder as well. The value would be relatively close to the 1500 points the Titans pick is worth, and allow the Jets to acquire either Fashanu or Alt in the draft. 

The idea becomes far easier if one of the top tackles moves past seven. In 2022 the Philadelphia Eagles gave up a first-round swap, and a 2024 fourth-round pick to Chicago for a simple move-up for one selection. Gang Green could have to spend a similar amount this year if they want to trade up to eight or nine this year to acquire one of the starting left tackles. 

Value is always tricky, especially when it comes to Draft compensation. 

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One team might value points differently than others depending on how a board is falling. What fans may think is a valuable trade may not be the case for those across NFL circles. 

The one truth both NFL executives and fans alike understand, though, is that the Jets need help along the offensive line. If they are serious about contending in 2025 they need to make sure one of the top tackles is available to them at 10 or via a trade-up. 

And the value is there for the organization to pull a move off in the long run.