New York Jets Monday Mailbag: Top free agents, AAF, and more

In the New York Jets Monday Mailbag, we answer all your Jets Twitter questions weekly. In this edition, we discuss draft strategy, AAF free agents, and more.

Welcome to this week’s edition of the New York Jets Monday Mailbag here on The Jet Press! This is a new series that will look to answer any and all questions you may have about anything and everything pertaining to the Jets.

To have your question included in future editions make sure to follow us on Twitter at @TheJetPress and be on the lookout for a tweet every Friday or Saturday asking for your questions.

In this edition of the series, we will discuss the Jets draft strategy come April, top free agent targets, and potential AAF free agents for the team. With that, let’s get on with our questions.

Is Jonah Williams worth a first round pick? The #Jets need to do all they can to build a wall in front of Darnold

— Jake Spriggs (@SpriggsyFresh) February 16, 2019

Williams is undoubtedly worth a first-round pick, but the No. 3 overall selection? I don’t think so, at least not at this time.

Jonah Williams is considered by many to be one of, if not the top offensive lineman in this year’s draft class. With the Jets apparent need along the offensive line, it would seem like an obvious pairing.

But the team must avoid reaching here.

There are many scenarios and options available for the Jets right now that reaching on Williams above his true value shouldn’t really be considered. If the team opts to trade down to the back half of the top-10, then this pick becomes much more reasonable.

Williams is a very solid prospect but his lack of length and true core strength have many questioning whether he can be a tackle in the NFL. While I think he can, it’s unlikely he would play that position straight away for the Jets.

It’s more likely the Jets take a player like Quinnen Williams or Josh Allen if they remain at three. If they trade back, however, Jonah Williams becomes an appealing selection.

What is the furthest you’d trade down in Round 1? According to the trade value chart, the #Jets No. 3 overall pick is worth Jacksonville’s first three picks.

— Michael Pallas (@mtpallas) February 17, 2019

The furthest the Jets will feasibly trade down will be all the way back to No. 15 where the Washington Redskins pick, although I’d personally not want to trade outside the top-10.

Teams like the Giants, Broncos, and, as you mentioned, Jaguars are the most likely trade down partners as each will be looking for a young quarterback to lead their respective franchises. The Giants or Jaguars make the most sense as a jump up from 10 to 3 would cost the Broncos quite a bit.

The Jaguars first three picks are at 7, 38, and 69 which seems a bit low for a four-spot leap in the top-10. That being said, this year’s trade-ups aren’t likely to cost as much as last season with the quality of the quarterbacks at the top.

Still, I would probably accept that deal with the hope they could throw in a future fourth-round pick or a 2019 sixth or seventh rounder.

Should the #Jets consider AAF free agents?

— Michael Pallas (@mtpallas) February 18, 2019

The new Alliance of American Football is already serving its purpose of being a breeding ground for young talent who, for whatever reason, didn’t get the chance to shine in the NFL. Perhaps they were given an opportunity, squandered it, and are now looking for a second chance. Or maybe they were just never given a fair shot.

Either way, there will unquestionably be a handful of AAF talent that get their shot at making an NFL roster once again. The Jets would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t at least test the waters with AAF free agents.

There’s no specific position in mind as players signed would likely just be depth pieces to start off, but a reunion with some former Jets would make for a feel-good story. Players like Charles Johnson, Jalin Marshall, and John Wolford have all flashed at points over the first two weeks making them interesting options to bring back into training camp this summer.

Look for the Jets to maybe bring in an edge rusher or some receiver help as the team is currently quite thin in both areas. The AAF could provide an intriguing pool of free agents for NFL teams to pick from and the Jets should be no different.

Who is the top free agent the jets need to sign (excluding Leveon Bell)…. and is trading for Antonio Brown plausible is he is actually on the trade block?

— Josh Kerr (@JoshKerr829) February 18, 2019

It’s hard to say who the top free agents will be now with re-signings and franchise tags yet to happen, but I would expect it to be an offensive lineman. If either Matt Paradis or Rodger Saffold hit the market, they would immediately become priority number one for the Jets.

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If both sign extensions, this answer becomes a bit murkier.

I don’t expect any of the top edge rushers to become free agents making players like Trey Flowers, Preston Smith, or Za’Darius Smith interesting fallback options. But none of them are high-profile targets.

Kansas City’s Mitch Morse or Tennesse’s Quinton Spain are two of the next best interior offensive linemen who may become available making them possible options as well.

As for Antonio Brown, he most certainly is on the trade block and I fully expect him to be playing with a new team come the start of 2019. But don’t hold your breath on it being with the Jets.

Despite an obvious need at receiver, it’s more likely the team opts to address the position in free agency and maybe even the draft as opposed to trading for Brown.

General manager Mike Maccagnan will likely stay away from Brown and his often-criticized character given the state of the team. The roster is still in rebuilding mode and with a first-year head coach with a history of locker room turmoil, it just doesn’t seem like a great fit.

Next. Top 5 free agent edge rusher targets

But if the asking price is as low as reported — a third or fourth round pick — then you almost have to consider it.

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