New York Jets: Trading down a viable option in 2019 NFL Draft

The New York Jets should consider trading down in the 2019 NFL Draft if they end up with a top-three pick, and they do well in free agency.

The New York Jets have Sam Darnold, and they — and many others — believe he’s their quarterback of the future. Now is the time to build around him. Get him some weapons and protection up front.

They got lucky that they fell into a quarterback-rich draft and that the Giants passed on Sam Darnold. This year may be another lucky year if they stay where they are.

Right now, the Jets schedule doesn’t look all that promising for wins. They currently sit with the No. 3 overall pick according to Tankathon, and with that pick, they may be in the cat-bird seat.

As it stands, the Raiders may take the top edge rusher on the board to try and replace Khalil Mack, and the 49ers don’t need a quarterback. The reason the Jets are in the perfect situation is because the talent at quarterback is thin in this year’s draft, and the Giants will want to take one, and they currently sit right ahead of the Giants in the draft order.

If the Jets can do well in free agency, they are in a similar situation to the Colts in that the spot is good for a quarterback, but it’s even more advantageous for them to trade down, because with fewer quarterbacks available teams are going to want to move up to make sure they get the best one.

If they don’t do well in free agency, then they’re stuck in a quandary. Sure, a player like Nick Bosa would be great to land. But remember, football is the ultimate team game, and while hitting on a player like Bosa helps drastically, it doesn’t help enough to cover up all the problems the Jets have.

Trading down to accumulate picks gives the Jets a better chance to hit on more players and build the roster. Years of draft picks and free agent signings that didn’t pan out have put the Jets in this situation. Now they have to rely on a good free agency period.