Latest Browns NFL Draft Report Opens Door to Jets Blockbuster Trade

The New York Jets have all the ability in the world to hit a home run in the upcoming NFL draft. They have the No. 2 pick and the No. 16 pick in the first round, as well as the No. 33 pick and the No. 44 pick in the second round.

But the Jets could see the draft board shake up quite a bit behind them in some blockbuster trades this offseason.

NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports recently reported that the Cleveland Browns are open to trading down from pick No. 6 in the NFL draft in order to target an offensive tackle down the board.

Browns willing to trade down in the NFL draft

Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (OL22) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

"With the top of the NFL Draft board dominated by quarterback talk, league sources indicate the Cleveland Browns are quietly open for business, potentially trading down to target a foundational offensive tackle," Pauline wrote. "The Detroit Lions have a hole at left tackle, and sources believe they’ve zeroed in on Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor. But the Cleveland Browns’ interest in a similar player, Spencer Fano, could force Detroit’s hand earlier than they’d like."

The Browns need an offensive tackle and there's a chance they could trade down if they're confident somebody like Spencer Fano will be on the board. This could save them from reaching on the guy they want, but it would still find a way to land him.

This is the perfect opportunity for the Jets.

Jets could trade up from pick No. 16

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate (WO37) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Jets have so many draft picks over the next two years that they could look to package pick No. 16 with a slew of draft capital to trade to the Browns in order to land the No. 6 pick.

This would allow the Jets to take somebody like Arvell Reese at pick No. 2 while targeting Carnell Tate at pick No. 6. Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr. could all be in play at pick No. 6, too.

The Jets are stuck choosing between Reese and Bailey right now. If the Jets take Reese at pick No. 2 and Bailey falls to No. 6, there would be nothing stopping the Jets from trying to trade up and land both of the best edge rushers in the class.

It would be an expensive trade, but it could kickstart the Jets rebuild in the perfect way.

The only potential hiccup, besides the cost, is the fact that Fano might not be on the board at pick No. 16, so the Browns might not want to drop that far.