New York Jets: Exclusive interview with Eric Allen

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a New York Jets helmet and an NFL football during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

As the New York Jets prepare for the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, team reporter Eric Allen decided to come on ESPN Radio with me and The Jet Press to share his thoughts on the hottest topics.

The Jets are in a clear state of flux with their quarterback situation with Ryan Fitzpatrick, their disgruntled Pro Bowl defensive lineman in Muhammad Wilkerson, and all the while there’s the draft this week. Through all the craziness, I got a hold of Jets team reporter Eric Allen and interviewed him on ESPN Radio to exclusively bring it to our readers here on The Jet Press.

We discussed a variety of topics from the draft, some of the free agent acquisitions and the potential of a Wilkerson draft day trade. All that and more in this exclusive interview with EA starting now!

Next: 10. Is Paxton Lynch a real possibility?

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

10. Is Paxton Lynch a real possibility?

On Friday the Jets held their annual pre-draft press conference in front of the media. In that presser, general manager Mike Maccagnan said Paxton Lynch was an intriguing prospect.

It’s an interesting conundrum for the Jets who already have two young quarterbacks on the roster. So I asked EA point blank, if Lynch is on the board when the Jets are on the clock at 20, would he be in a green and white uniform?

“A quarterback pipeline” was the term that EA used and reiterated from Friday’s press conference. Would the Jets be willing to invest another draft pick in the quarterback position?

If the Jets have any inkling that he can be the guy there’s no question you’ve got to take him. Because Geno Smith hasn’t proven (doesn’t mean he can’t) but so far he hasn’t shown without a reasonable doubt he’s the future of the franchise and Bryce Petty (no fault of his own) hasn’t showed that either, it might just happen.

Next: 9. Did the Jets improve their backfield in the offseason?

Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) runs off the field after the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

9. Did the Jets improve their backfield in the offseason?

Getting off the topic of the draft, we delved into some of the free agent acquisitions for the Jets. Specifically, the turnover at the running back position.

The Jets entered free agency with every back on their roster unsigned, but they came out of it with the new additions of Forte and Khiry Robinson. They also brought back versatile running back Bilal Powell. I asked EA if the switch of Chris Ivory for Forte was an improvement in the backfield?

EA is right, we won’t know until football is actually played, but the fact of the matter is Forte can do more than Ivory can. Forte is a versatile guy who is still one of the premiere backs in the NFL.

Will he have a Curtis Martin kind of resurgence with the Jets into his 30’s? The Jets are certainly hoping so, knowing he won’t have to be the featured guy with depth in the backfield in 2016 makes him very likely to make some serious noise this upcoming season.

Next: 8. Is Wilkerson on the move?

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) reacts after the Detroit Lions scored a touchdown at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

8. Is Wilkerson on the move?

One of the leading story lines of the Jets’ offseason has been the Wilkerson situation. The Jets placed the franchise tag on him and have kept him in limbo in terms of what they plan to do with him.

There has been a lot of smoke around a possible Wilkerson draft day trade. And where there is smoke there is fire, so I asked EA what are his sources telling him on a potential Wilkerson-Jets breakup?

EA bucked the narrative and says that it isn’t inevitable that Wilkerson and the Jets are destined to break up. He provided some hope for Jets fans praying that they find a way to keep arguably their best player around during the prime years of his career.

Maccagnan and the Jets hold all the cards and the interesting thing will be how they handle this key situation. The new brass is only in year two and this move could define his legacy with the Jets.

Next: 7. Are the Jets going to take some risks in the draft?

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

7. Are the Jets going to take some risks in the draft?

The Jets opted to go best player available in last year’s draft. With that pick the Jets got one of the top rookies in the 2015 NFL Draft in Leonard Williams.

Will they be able to stick with that mentality when the player has some red flag issues? For example, a guy like Noah Spence is arguably one of the best pass rushers in this draft, but would Maccagnan take a risk like that? I asked EA and he gave his thoughts:

EA said he saw some of the same things I did down in Mobile Alabama for the Senior Bowl. Allen says you’ve got to rely on your staff because you have to feel comfortable taking a risk like this in round one.

The Jets have Lorenzo Mauldin on one side and desperately need an upgrade for Calvin Pace (who remains unsigned) who is an older guy that doesn’t have the necessary burst anymore at this stage of his career.

Next: 6. Manchild puts EA on the spot

Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) and New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) warmup for their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

6. Manchild puts EA on the spot

The other big story line for the Jets this offseason has circled around who is going to be starting at quarterback this fall. As it currently stands, Smith and Petty are the only two quarterbacks on the roster.

This has been long and drawn out as Jets fans are worried. The Manchild (Jim Lerch) asked EA about the current situation and if in his heart, he felt like Fitzpatrick would be in a Jets uniform when things are all said and done.

EA reiterated the sentiment from fans, media personalities and analysts from across the NFL that this makes too much sense. Fitzpatrick’s only chance to come anywhere close to the numbers he put up last year is with the Jets.

But just because it makes sense doesn’t mean it is going to happen. EA finished his answer by saying, “I would think this is the best situation for both sides, we’ll have to see what happens.”

Next: 5. Is Brock Osweiler screwing up the quarterback market?

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) before the AFC Championship football game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

5. Is Brock Osweiler screwing up the quarterback market?

So why is Fitzpatrick asking for so much money? Well, the market was reportedly set by the contract figures from Sam Bradford and Osweiler.

Because Fitzpatrick had better numbers than both of those quarterbacks, inevitably his agent is saying these same things to the Jets. The Manchild asked EA is that the monkey wrench in the negotiations?

There is a lot of speculation with what the Jets are really offering to what Fitzpatrick is really asking for. The reports suggest the Jets and Fitzpatrick are $5-$8M dollars apart.

But EA brought up a great point that should put some Jets fans minds to ease, last season Fitzpatrick was recovering from a broken leg and was brought along very slowly. In all honesty, he really didn’t get first team reps until August and he ended up having a career year.

Next: 4. How does the addition of Forte affect draft plans?

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs the ball during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

4. How does the addition of Forte affect the Jets’ draft plans?

The Jets have a dynamic trio of running backs currently in their backfield. Forte and Powell are as versatile as they come and Robinson is a grinder.

They reinvented their backfield during this offseason and could they be looking to add another running back in this year’s draft? Manchild poked and prodded EA trying to get the latest scoop.

Forte is playing with a chip on his shoulder and has something to prove. While the other two backs are trying to make an impact and increase their roles on offense.

While a guy like Ezekiel Elliott (a likely top-10 pick) is probably out of the question, don’t rule the Jets out from adding another running back later in the draft. As unlikely as it seems, only possessing six draft picks in the draft the Jets could look to trade back at any point.

Next: 3. How does the loss of Harrison affect draft plans?

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison (94) against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

3. How does the loss of Damon Harrison affect the Jets’ draft plans?

This was a very different offseason for the Jets in 2016. They didn’t have the money to throw around like last year and it cost them in free agency.

Their biggest loss was Damon Harrison, an un-drafted free agent who became one of the best run stuffing nose tackles in the NFL. Manchild asked EA if this would affect the Jets draft plans?

The Jets more likely than not will avoid the defensive line because of the free agent acquisitions in Steve McLendon and Jarvis Jenkins. But you can never say never with the Jets new mentality of best player available.

Without a doubt the value of McLendon and Jenkins will be a downgrade from Harrison, but the key question is how much of a drop-off will exist.

Next: 2. With the 20th pick in the draft who will the Jets select?

Oct 17, 2015; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) chases Missouri Tigers quarterback Drew Lock (3) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Missouri 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

2. With the 20th pick in the draft the Jets select?

While this entire interview was fantastic, the question on top of the minds of all Jets fans is what the team will do with the 20th overall pick. The Jets have a ton of needs with their offensive line, edge rushing abilities and cornerback.

Could the Jets move up in the draft? Could they move down potentially and acquire more picks? So many possibilities and EA gave his thoughts below.

A prevailing thought, will any of the top four tackles be on the board? Maybe Lynch is there at 20? Linebacker Leonard Floyd is one of the hottest prospects in the draft, could it be all hype leading up to the draft and he falls?

So many different situations that could happen and the smoke will continue to percolate as we make our way to the draft. But EA had a guarantee, “Maccagnan will not reach in round one.”

Next: 1. Final thoughts

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Leonard Williams (Southern California) is selected as the number sixth overall pick to the New York Jets in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1. Final thoughts

A huge thank you to Eric Allen for taking the time to do the interview during a very busy time of the year. Another big thank you to the Bud and the Manchild program for providing the platform on ESPN Radio to make this possible and available for our readers on The Jet Press.

Allen is entering his 14th season covering the Jets as their team reporter. He is a phenomenal Jets personality and has been a staple on www.NewYorkJets.com for years.

Make sure that you take the time to follow him on his social media portals if you aren’t already. This guy is the official team reporter for the Jets so let’s try to get his Twitter verified!

More jets: Top 3 crazy draft trades that might happen with the New York Jets

If you enjoyed the interview, you can check it out in its entirety right here in the audio vault: Boy Green and the Manchild with NYJ team reporter Eric Allen on ESPN Radio 97.7 and 100.1.