The NY Jets can’t afford to trade up in the 2020 NFL Draft

The NY Jets are looking to make a splash in this year’s 2020 NFL Draft, but they can’t afford to trade up with all the holes on the roster.

Well, we have finally made it to draft week. Coming off the heels of what many consider to be a frugal offseason where the NY Jets did neither covet nor sign the attractive names on the market, there is still much work to be done.

Through free agency, the Jets most notably provided depth at wide receiver and offensive line.  They have signed players such as wide receivers Breshad Perriman and Josh Doctson, and offensive linemen like George Fant, Greg Van Roten, and Connor McGovern. They also signed cornerback Pierre Desir.

Even with all these signings, many needs have to be filled.

As the Jets are still in a major rebuild and overhaul of the roster, general manager Joe Douglas need to go into the 2020 NFL Draft looking to not only keep every draft pick they have so far, but explore the possibility of trading down.

Or they could even explore the idea of trading players for picks — even if some players are more popular than others.

One notion the Jets cannot go into the 2020 NFL Draft with is the thought that they need to trade up for any player. While this is an idea that is not heavily encouraged, articles and mock drafts supporting the theory are still discussed.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target
• NY Jets: 3 non-quarterback trade targets on offense
• NY Jets expected to be ‘much more aggressive’ in free agency this year
• NY Jets: Patriots will not use the franchise tag on Joe Thuney
• NY Jets officially place the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye

This is not the year for the Jets to get aggressive with the draft board. They need to let the best players available come to them and if the opportunity arises, move down the draft board to stockpile draft capital.

Sam Darnold needs a tremendous amount of help. Trading up (even if only a small amount) will not help the team in the long run. One of the top four offensive tackles or a top wide receiver the likes of CeeDee Lamb will be available.

The offensive line is certainly the priority, but even if the Jets draft one of the top wide receivers on the board, they can get a talent like Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson in the second round.

Also, nobody would likely complain if they double-dipped on Day 2 of the draft taking another offensive lineman with one of their two third-round picks.

All in all, the Jets do not need to act like Super Bowl contenders this year by squandering draft capital.

If Joe Douglas wants to fulfill his promise to Darnold’s parents, he needs to use every single pick at his disposal on Thursday.