NY Jets: 3 players who could be traded before the deadline

NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets could look to trade these three players before next month’s deadline.

The NY Jets don’t have very much to look forward to over the remaining two-and-a-half months of the 2020 season. The team is likely headed for a last-place finish and will be competing for the No. 1 overall pick as opposed to a playoff spot.

It’s clear that the Jets’ front office knows this too. With an eye on the future, the Jets will be looking to move whoever they can in an effort to acquire more draft capital.

As linebacker Avery Williamson so eloquently put it, “nobody’s safe.”

The departure of Le’Veon Bell may have just been the first domino to fall in what could be a very busy couple of weeks for Gang Green. With the trade deadline fast approaching, don’t expect Bell to be the only player the Jets look to unload.

General manager Joe Douglas is going to do his due diligence in an effort to acquire anything in return for a variety of players who may not return next season. That includes both veterans and players still on their rookie deals.

But which players are most likely to be moved? We take a look at three players the Jets could trade before the November 3rd deadline.

Next: 3. Brian Poole

NY Jets

3. Brian Poole, CB, NY Jets

Slot cornerback Brian Poole is in the midst of a second consecutive standout season, both of which have come with the Jets.

New York signed him to a cheap one-year, $3.5 million deal in the 2019 offseason to serve as Buster Skrine’s replacement in the nickel. But few could have expected him to play as well as he did.

Poole finished as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 9 overall cornerback out of 115 qualifiers establishing himself as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. And in 2020, while most of the defense has taken a step back, Poole hasn’t missed a beat.

The 27-year-old finds himself in a similar position as PFF’s No. 9 overall cornerback once again with a stellar 78.3 grade. In fact, his 81.6 coverage grade is even higher at fifth in the entire league.

Poole has been excellent again in 2020 which makes his one-year, $5 million contract he signed to return to the Jets in the offseason look even more impressive. And it goes without saying that he could provide value to another team.

Now, the Jets might want to try and keep Poole around next season, but he’ll surely demand a bigger pay raise this offseason provided he keeps it up. And the Jets might not be willing to pay what he’s asking.

At the very least, it doesn’t hurt to shop around one of their best players who’s currently on an expiring contract. Don’t be shocked if he draws some significant interest on the trade market.

Next: 2. Marcus Maye

NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

2. Marcus Maye, S, NY Jets

Another Jets defensive back on an expiring contract, Marcus Maye is no stranger to trade rumors. The veteran safety has been involved in trade discussions dating back to the 2019 offseason and heating up again the subsequent year.

But he remains with the Jets — at least for now.

Following the departure of Jamal Adams, Maye was expected to serve as the superstar safety’s replacement of sorts. But after a stellar Week 1 showing, he’s regressed back to his prior form.

That isn’t to say he’s been bad — because he certainly hasn’t. But Maye’s 62.2 PFF grade ranks 34th in the league and would be a career-low by a substantial margin.

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He’s been effective as a pass-rusher filling in for Adams, but he hasn’t been nearly as strong in coverage as in years past and he’s been an inefficient tackler as well.

Nonetheless, Maye is a starting-caliber safety who could provide some value to a team needing secondary help.

The Jets could still look to re-sign Maye in the offseason, but his play right now doesn’t warrant what he’ll likely be asking for. At 27-years-old, Maye knows that this is likely his only shot at securing a substantial payday in the offseason.

With Ashtyn Davis on the roster, the Jets might opt to go in a different direction. For that reason, it would make sense for the team to explore trade options over the next few weeks.

Next: 1. Quinnen Williams

NY Jets

1. Quinnen Williams, DL, NY Jets

Perhaps this comes as a surprise to some, but Quinnen Williams is one Jets player who is already confirmed to be involved in trade discussions.

Bleacher Report’s Connor Rogers reported this week that teams have been calling the Jets exploring the possibility of a trade for the former No. 3 overall pick. That doesn’t mean the Jets are looking to move him, but they’re likely listening.

Williams has taken a step forward in 2020 after an underwhelming rookie season. He’s shown improvements as both a pass-rusher and in run defense, but his inconsistency continues to plague him.

Regardless, at just 22-years-old, there’s still plenty of untapped potential to be had. It’s certainly premature to call Williams a bust even if his Jets career has been disappointing thus far.

But despite his potential, Douglas and the Jets might not hesitate to move him for the right price. Again, this isn’t a player they are just going to give away, but virtually no one — maybe with the exception of Mekhi Becton — is untouchable on this team.

It would be a mildly surprising to see the Jets trade Quinnen Williams before November 3rd, but it’s certainly not something that should be ruled out.