Are the New York Jets Looking to Make a Trade?

Aug 16, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan looks on during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Jets won 25-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The second game of the preseason has been played, and we are three weeks away from real football. Next up is the first round of roster cuts due August 26, when teams will need to reduce their rosters to 75 players. Shortly there after they will be reduced to 53 on August 30. The Jets will have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks. Not only will they need to decide who stays and who goes, but they will need to be busy trying to upgrade their roster. The Jets have needs that need to be addressed before the opening kick off against the Raiders.

Off the wire additions will likely be made, players become available and John Idzik and company will be kept busy. Promising young talent are victims of teams who have a surplus of talent at their position, and seasoned veterans are cut as younger players out perform them. This time of year can bring some late additions to the team who can help with the weaknesses. I expect the Jets will be active, as there are several perceived weaknesses to this roster.

While the Jets will likely find some help off the wire, I think they could to look into trades as well.  The Jets have some serious depth along the defensive line, as well as running back and they could look into moving some of that talent to bring in guys to fill the holes.  It’s never a popular idea with the fan base, as some fan favorites might be moving on, but it could to be looked at as a viable option.

The situation at corner needs to be addressed.  Yes, Rex Ryan is a brilliant defensive mind, and he can be innovative, but with the injuries, the team could be improved with a trade for a solid corner. Picking up a proven talent at corner would allow Antonio Allen to return to safety, where he was progressing nicely. They could end the experiment and solidify the position.

The wide receiver group could be improved as well. The Jets might have adequate starters at the position, but behind them there is a bit of a void. The injuries to the rookie class have slowed any chance of them being effective in the short-term. A veteran receiver would go a long way into making this a better unit. A trade here could provide them with a starter while the young guys heal up and develop.

The offensive line has concerns in the depth department, with no one really in line at tackle, and some unproven talent behind the guards. Injuries happen frequently in the trenches, the Jets would be served well to improve the depth. They could opt for an aging lineman off the wires, but a trade just might bring in some long-term help.

It all depends on what they can find off the wire in the coming weeks. They do have some players that might be attractive on the trade market however. Stephen Hill might draw some interest from a team that has more time to develop him. I’m not certain they could get much for him at this point, but it might be worth looking into.  Another guy they could look at is Kendrick Ellis. I’m a big Kendrick Ellis fan, but with all the depth the Jets have along the defensive front and the rise to the top by Damon Harrison, Ellis’s time has been limited. Ellis is in the final year of his contract and will be likely be looking for a significant  raise. He’d also draw a good bit of attention and he surely holds value. Running back is a position of depth for the Jets and buried behind Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory is some talent in Bilal Powell and Daryl Richardson. I like what both bring to the table, but Powell or Richardson might bring some  trade value as well.

I realize that with all likelihood, none of those players will be traded. It’s food for thought though. I wanted to kick it around. What do you think? Do the Jets need to look trade to improve the roster?  What position would you trade to improve? I want to hear about it.