New York Jets: 3 Trade targets with ties to new coaching staff

The New York Jets are once again rebuilding but can speed up the process by landing one of these trade targets their staff happens to be familiar with

The New York Jets are in the midst of yet another turnover, but this time, it feels like they got things headed in the right direction. Unlike when they hired Adam Gase two offseasons ago, Robert Saleh comes over with plenty of optimism.

Formerly the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, Saleh built that unit into something special. He’s also very well-liked by his players, which is something Gase was never able to claim.

However, Saleh won’t be able to succeed without landing the right players. Thankfully, New York has a stockpile of good picks in the 2021 NFL Draft but they can speed the process along by supplementing their roster with veteran talent.

Here, we look at three players they could look to add via trades. And with the idea of making this transition as easy as possible at the forefront, all three players have ties to the new coaching staff in New York.

3. Dee Ford, EDGE

Added in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2019 season, Dee Ford has yet to live up to his expectations with the 49ers. Part of the problem is that he hasn’t been healthy, playing just 11 games in 2019 and one in 2020.

Another is that they’re pretty deep at the position — Ford only started two games in his first season with the team. With both those factors coming into play, the 49ers have gotten just 6.5 sacks in two years out of Ford, who is about to turn 30.

There’s a real chance that they’ll want out of his five-year, $87.5 million contract which is what could lead to him joining Saleh in New York.

Saleh very likely signed off on the deal for Ford believing he could be a cornerstone of his defense. While the odds weren’t in his favor in San Franciso, a change of scenery could help. The Jets would also have no problem absorbing his contract with $77 million in cap space — and they need a player who can bring the heat as an edge rusher.