3 hypothetical trades the NY Jets could make on draft night

Stephen Nixon

NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re a diehard fan of the NY Jets, the 2021 NFL Draft may be the most exciting event since the 2010 AFC Championship Game.

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but the anticipation surrounding this year’s draft is huge. Not only will fans be allowed to attend the event, but more importantly, Roger Goodell is permitted to hug every draft pick.

The draft itself is incredibly exciting, but Goodell’s nerdiness in trying to be cool with these prospects is must-watch TV. But instead of spending the next few hours making fun of Goodell, let’s talk about the Jets and what their strategy may be ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In his first draft as general manager, Joe Douglas did a great job selecting Mekhi Becton, who looks to be a perennial Pro Bowler in the near future,11th overall. Douglas followed up that pick with Denzel Mims who should be a great target for the Jets’ new quarterback.

In addition to Mims, the team drafted Bryce Hall in the fifth round, a player who should be a starting cornerback in the NFL, along with a few other prospects who we’re unsure about at the moment.

It usually takes a few seasons to determine a successful draft, but as of right now, it feels like Douglas did well with his 2020 draft class.

Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, New York has the following picks: No. 2, No. 23, No. 34, No. 66, No. 86, No. 107, No. 146, No. 154, No. 186, and No. 226.

Four of those draft picks were acquired via trade, so the Jets have a ton of draft capital this year. With so many assets, the team has the luxury of moving up in the draft to acquire a player they like, instead of sitting back and hoping their favorite prospect falls to them.

There’s no way that the Jets will move the No. 2 pick, but every other draft pick should be available if Douglas thinks he can improve the roster. As such, here are three hypothetical trades we may see the Jets make on draft night.

Next: 1. Jets trade up to No. 13

NY Jets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

1. NY Jets trade up to select generational cornerback

The Trade:

NY Jets acquire: No. 13 overall

LA Chargers acquire: No. 23 overall, No. 66 overall, and No. 154 overall

After watching the draft and seeing where the chips fall, Douglas makes a splash acquiring the No. 13 overall selection from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for three picks.

With that No. 13 overall pick, the Jets draft Jaycee Horn, cornerback out of South Carolina.

Although it’s a lot to give up, Horn is a very special player. His athletic ability is impressive and his size is great for a cornerback. At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he’s a very physically imposing defender and is someone who attacks the ball whenever it’s thrown his way.

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Obviously, three draft picks is a lot to move up for a defender, but at the same time, Horn is going to be in the NFL for a long time. Newly-hired head coach Robert Saleh would absolutely love this player on his team and he’d be a perfect draft pick for him, specifically.

With Saleh’s “All Gas, No Brake” mantra, Horn would live up to that slogan every day he steps on the field.

Horn’s father, Joe, played 163 games in the NFL, so Jaycee has known from a very young age what it takes to make it to the pros. As such, the 21-year-old will be ready for the NFL immediately and should make an impact on the gridiron right away.

Next: 2. Jets trade up for an offensive lineman

NY Jets (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

2. NY Jets trade up to protect Zach Wilson

The Trade:

NY Jets acquire: No. 17 overall

Las Vegas Raiders acquire: No. 23 overall and No. 66 overall

The Jets currently hold the No. 23 and No. 34 overall picks and with those selections, the team needs to draft at least one offensive lineman.

However, instead of waiting to see what player will fall into their laps, Douglas and company would be much smarter to trade up to acquire a prospect they love.

The offensive line, besides quarterback, is the most important position group in football. Since the Jets already would have selected Zach Wilson at No. 2 overall, the team needs to get a top prospect to protect him.

As of right now, it’s tough to project which offensive linemen will be available at the No. 17 position. However, it’s pretty clear that both Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater won’t be available.

As such, the following prospects could still be available: Christian Darrisaw, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Teven Jenkins.

If the Jets select any of those players, the fanbase should be excited, and so should Zach Wilson. All three linemen should excel at the NFL level, and it’s very possible that none of them would have lasted all the way until the No. 23 pick.

Personally, Vera-Tucker would be the most ideal pick for the Jets, but at the same time, any three of these prospects would be a win for New York.

Next: 3. Jets move up to No. 28

NY Jets (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

3. NY Jets move up to secure another first-round pick

The Trade:

NY Jets acquire: No. 28 overall

New Orleans Saints acquire: No. 34 overall and No. 66 overall

The Saints are an established franchise, so they may be inclined to move back a few spots for an extra draft pick. Since the Jets have so much draft capital, the difference between staying at No. 34 or moving up to No. 28 could be a monumental difference to their franchise.

If the team stays at No. 2 and No. 23 prior to this draft pick, they’ll most likely have had already drafted a quarterback and an offensive or defensive linemen. Regardless of who they previously selected, the Jets need to continue to bolster their offensive line with the No. 28 pick.

It’s tough to predict the future, but since we’re living in a hypothetical world already, New York should select Alex Leatherwood.

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With the No. 34 selection that the team currently has, it doesn’t feel like Leatherwood would last that long. As such, the team should trade up and acquire him with the Saints’ No. 28 pick.

Leatherwood is the perfect fit for New York because of his ability to play both guard and tackle. If the Jets select an offensive lineman with the No. 23 pick, they could have one of the better young lines in football if they picked Leatherwood at No. 28.

The 6-foot-5, 312-pound tackle/guard from Alabama is a beast and his ability to play both positions makes him such an intriguing prospect for the Jets since they already have Mekhi Becton at left tackle.

Who knows what’s going to happen with the 2021 NFL Draft, but hopefully the Jets make a splash and get the prospects they want. We all know that the team is going to select Zach Wilson second overall, but after that, things are going to get very interesting.

Stephen Nixon