NY Jets: Trent Williams becoming available is terrific news for Gang Green

The Washington Redskins have made Trent Williams available in trade talks. Here’s why that’s great news on several fronts for the NY Jets.

Earlier this week Dianna Russini of ESPN reported that “the Washington Redskins are giving Trent Williams an opportunity to seek a trade.”

Adam Schefter added more to the story saying Williams’ agent, Vincent Taylor, was given permission to try to facilitate a trade by speaking with other NFL teams.

Trent Williams when healthy has proven that he’s one of the best left tackles in all of football. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma.

From 2012 through 2018, Williams was voted to seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections, he missed last season due to a holdout.

Williams is 31 years old (will be 32 by the start of the 2020 season) and has one year left on his contract for $14.5 million. This means that in any potential trade a contract extension will likely have to be agreed to which will affect the compensation coming back in any possible deal.

Over the last few years, he’s dealt with injuries and suspensions due to those issues Trent Williams hasn’t completed a full 16 game season since 2013.

Despite that, there’s a lot of interest around the league in Trent Williams because of his talent. This is great news for the NY Jets for several reasons.

1. A possible trade solution. 

The NY Jets have a gaping hole at left tackle with Kelvin Beachum set to hit free agency. General manager Joe Douglas owes it to himself to explore every possible option to improve the trenches.

Gang Green should only be interested if the price is right.

Reportedly the Redskins were holding out for a first-round pick ahead of last year’s NFL trade deadline and no one bit. Now it looks like they would be willing to take a bit less.

The only deal the Jets should entertain is trading portions of its surplus. For instance, the green and white possess an additional third-round pick this season (thanks to the NY Giants) and an additional fifth-round pick in 2021 (also thanks to Big Blue).

If the Redskins would be willing to accept a package around those picks, the Jets should seriously consider it. Williams would instantly upgrade the team’s offensive line and would keep Sam Darnold upright for the foreseeable future.

Although if the Redskins are demanding a first or second-round pick, the Jets shouldn’t pick up the phone because that price is too rich.

2. Trent Williams is dealt to an offensive tackle needy team. 

Even if the NY Jets don’t acquire Trent Williams themselves, it could still be great news for the team.

Reportedly the team that was hot and heavy for Williams last season was the Cleveland Browns. Currently, the Browns hold the No. 10 overall pick, just one selection ahead of the NY Jets at No. 11 overall.

If the team were to acquire Trent Williams in a possible trade, that would likely eliminate them from taking an offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft. This means it’d be a lot more likely that one could slip to Gang Green in the first round.

There are four premium offensive tackles that are considered the upper echelon by draft experts in the 2020 NFL Draft (in no particular order): Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), Andrew Thomas (Georgia), and Mekhi Becton (Louisville).