New York Jets: 2018 Offseason predictions through the draft

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JANUARY 21: New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson (C) poses with new General Manager Mike Maccagnan (L) and new Head Coach Todd Bowles after they were introduced to the media during a press conference on January 21, 2015 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images) /

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LINCOLN, NE – OCTOBER 14: Offensive lineman Billy Price #54 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks over the line against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

In a move that will shock (and may anger some) fans, the Jets are going to make a trade some time before they pick in the first round. The move won’t be up to get the quarterback every fan wants, but move down to accumulate more picks.

The center is probably equal in importance to the left tackle, but in a different way. The left tackle protects the blindside of the quarterback, where the quarterback can’t see what’s coming, and the center is the guy barking all the protection signals. He’s the quarterback of the offensive line.

The Jets had the perfect transition when Kevin Mawae went to Tennessee. They had Nick Mangold immediately, and the transition was so smooth it was like Mawae never left. Then Mangold got hurt and the Jets didn’t have a suitable replacement. It has been a roller coaster trying to find Mangold’s replacement since.

Billy Price is one of the best centers in college football, but offensive linemen are often overshadowed in the draft by their skill position counterparts early on, because the picks are “sexier.”

When it comes the pass blocking (via Pro Football Focus Elite), he’s only allowed one sack and 10 total pressures heading into the 2017 College Football Playoff. With more and more teams moving to a base three-man front, the Jets will need a center like Price who can handle nose tackles one-on-one, a rare commodity coming from college football. He also has enough athleticism to handle pulling on outside runs.

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