NY Jets could trade Jamison Crowder while his value is high

The NY Jets could look to trade wide receiver Jamison Crowder while his value is high.

After the surprising Steve McLendon trade just shortly after the NY Jets were shut out by the Miami Dolphins 24-0 on Sunday, it’s apparent that general manager Joe Douglas will not hesitate to deal anyone.

The Jets are now in full-blown tank mode with wins on Sunday from both the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants, making the 0-6 Jets the last remaining winless team in the NFL.

Jets fans need to prepare for Douglas to dump every possible asset the team has to offer, including the Jets’ most important weapon on offense, Jamison Crowder.

Crowder has been nothing short of a shining beacon of light in a rather dark and depressing Jets offense. Since former GM Mike Maccagnan signed him in 2019 to a three-year, $28.5 million contract, Crowder has emerged as one of the top slot receivers in the NFL.

In his first season with the Jets, Crowder led the team with 122 targets, 78 receptions, 833 yards, and six touchdowns. So far, he has continued his success in 2020 as he is currently ranked within the NFL’s top 20 receivers in total targets (12th), receptions (18th), and yards (18th), despite missing two games this year.

To put it simply, the 27-year-old slot receiver’s value has never been higher.

What could the NY Jets possibly receive in return for Jamison Crowder?

So, what would a deal for Crowder look like? To help answer that, we can take a look at the recent trade of the former Minnesota Vikings turned Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stefon Diggs.

It may seem like a stretch to compare Crowder to Diggs, yet, the two players have actually produced somewhat similar numbers over recent years.

Both players were a part of the 2015 NFL Draft class where Crowder was taken in the fourth round and Diggs was taken in the fifth.

Diggs may have Crowder beat in basically every statistical category as there is no denying who the better receiver is, however, Crowder gave Diggs a run for his money last season.

In 2019, Crowder had Diggs beat in receptions by reeling in 15 more passes while tying Diggs with six touchdowns. Diggs may have had a whopping 297 yards more than Crowder, but you have to factor in the Jets’ horrific offense as a legitimate excuse for Crowder being under 1,000 yards.

The Bills traded a 2020 first-round pick, fifth-round pick, sixth-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick for the 27-year-old Diggs and a 2020 seventh-round pick.

To say the Jets could get that kind of compensation for Crowder would just be flat out ridiculous. Diggs’ ability to do a little bit of everything such as rotate between slot receiver and speedy outside deep threat is why Buffalo surrendered a first-round pick for him.

Diggs is a bonafide top-10 receiver in the NFL and there’s no denying that.

Crowder is a sure-handed and dependable slot receiver, but he is one-dimensional. His inability to be an effective deep threat is the main thing that brings down his value.

However, Crowder’s incredible route running, sticky hands, and strong professionalism could be enough for a contending team to trade a 2021 second-round pick for him.

It’s important to consider the fact that Crowder’s contract is still good through the 2021 season, which means the Jets don’t have to trade him before the deadline.

It is up to Douglas to decide whether to trade him now while his value is at its peak or roll the dice and hope he continues to light it up all year long.

The only real reason to keep Crowder until the end of the year is to give Sam Darnold any sort of a chance at all to prove to Douglas that drafting Trevor Lawrence would be a lateral move. Unfortunately for Darnold, Lawrence and the No. 1 pick seem to be inevitable at this point.

Sure, there will always be hope for Darnold that the Jets might trade out of the number one spot, but If Douglas moves Jamison Crowder before the deadline, it should signify the final nail in the coffin for Darnold’s career in New York.