Trade Down? Jets' Joe Douglas Boosts Draft-Day Options
A draft-day trade is now seemingly within the realm of possibility for the New York Jets.
Initially, it seemed as if the Jets would need the No. 10 overall selection to secure a Week 1 offensive starter whether it'd be at tackle or WR2. After a slow start to the offseason, however, general manager Joe Douglas filled four starting spots through free agency and a trade.
New York signed longtime Dallas Cowboys' left tackle Tyron Smith after poaching former Baltimore Ravens' left guard John Simpson off the free-agent market. Douglas picked up a third starting offensive lineman by trading for Ravens' right tackle Morgan Moses. Next, the Jets beefed up the receiving corps by agreeing to terms with former Los Angeles Chargers' first-round draft pick Mike Williams.
The aforementioned moves removed a lot of pressure from the Jets' upcoming decision at No. 10 in the Round 1 draft order. Instead of selecting based upon a particular need, Douglas can take a "best player available" approach or even trade out of the spot.
With the draft being a way to build quality roster depth, New York could benefit by increasing its number of picks this spring.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
As it stands, the Jets are without a Round 2 selection, which was sent to the Green Bay Packers as part of the compensation package for quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year. Trading down in Round 1 as a means of re-acquiring a second-rounder will give New York a chance to come away with two potential starting caliber prospects. In Round 2 last year, the Jets found their starting center when they took Wisconsin's Joe Tippmann at No. 43 overall.
The Jets, who are also without a fifth-rounder, have seven total selections, two of which are compensatory seventh-round picks.
Using the No. 10 overall selection to increase the number of quality picks at Douglas's disposal is an idea worth exploring for a team that lacks proven backups at multiple positions like safety and offensive tackle.
By addressing four starting spots well ahead of the draft, Douglas opened up draft-day opportunities that seemed unattainable only two weeks ago.
Jets' 2024 Selections
Round 1 — No. 10 overall
Round 3 — No. 72 overall
Round 4 — No. 111 overall
Round 4 — No. 134 overall
Round 6 — No. 185 overall
Round 7 — No. 256 overall
Round 7 — No. 257 overall
