Making the case for Jets to not trade down in 2018 NFL Draft

The 2018 NFL Draft will be another golden opportunity for the New York Jets to bolster their roster the right way. Here’s making a case for them to not trade down from their No. 6 overall spot.

For argument’s sake, let’s pretend that the New York Jets shock the football world this offseason and sign quarterback Kirk Cousins to a monster contract via free agency. Let’s also pretend that they add some other upgrades as well to their offensive line and maybe even a pass rusher to help that aspect of the team.

At this point in time, the Jets own the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and that’s a premium pick. With that comes a golden opportunity to add a top player to whatever position of need they’ll still have once the frenzy of free agency is over. Should the Jets consider trading down with another team to add even more draft picks to their arsenal?

In the grand scheme of things, no. It’s best they keep the No. 6 overall pick and use it to address a positional group by drafting the best player available when they’re on the clock. Even though general manager Mike Maccagnan loves to trade picks to acquire more down the road, such a high first-round pick is worth keeping.

More from Jets Draft

• NY Jets: Analyzing the ways to upgrade the cornerback position
• NY Jets: Chris Simms says Zach Wilson is ‘clearly the No. 1 quarterback’
• NY Jets: Would a Deshaun Watson trade be a departure from Joe Douglas’ philosophy?
• NY Jets: 4 WRs the team has reportedly met with ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft
• NY Jets add a new franchise QB in 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Whether it’s used on a premier offensive lineman, an offensive weapon, or even on a true shutdown defender, it’s an opportunity that should be used wisely. That way, the Jets can continue rebuilding the right way.

If anything, if the Jets fail to land Cousins or another solid quarterback via free agency, they would be better inclined to consider trading up to land one of the top players at the most important position on the team. That’s the only situation that would warrant the Jets to move in the draft order but besides that, they should stay pat and once again, take the best player available to upgrade whatever positional group that needs to be addressed on their draft board.

Overall, 2018 will be a huge year for the Jets as they have a plethora of salary cap space, a top-ten draft pick, and a young roster ready to make some serious noise next season. Maccagnan is slowly but surely rebuilding the Jets the right way and with the No. 6 overall pick in his arsenal, would be wise to use it instead of trading around. That is, of course, unless he needs a new signal caller under center.