NY Jets trade down with QB-needy team in CBS Sports mock draft

With so much draft capital, the NY Jets certainly have their fair share of options in the 2022 NFL Draft. That includes various prospects as well as different ways to utilize said draft capital.

Expect general manager Joe Douglas to explore all options when it comes to acquiring the necessary assets to improve the roster both in the short and long term.

One such option could be exploring a trade, whether up to secure a top-tier talent or down to acquire additional resources. That scenario was explored in a recent mock draft from Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports that saw the Jets trade down from their No. 10 overall pick.

In this mock, the Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers struck a deal that allowed Pittsburgh to move up 10 spots to select Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.

In turn, the Jets ended up with NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu with the No. 4 pick and Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams at pick No. 20 overall.

The NY Jets traded down and still came away with two great prospects

While Fornelli doesn't include specific trade details, it's safe to say the Jets would receive a sizable haul for falling back 10 spots. Probably not a future first-rounder, not in this draft class, but still a decent return.

Ekwonu is a popular projection to the Jets with their first pick as the NC State product could step in and become an immediate starter on the offensive line whether at left tackle, right tackle, or even right guard. He projects as a future long-term starting tackle in an ideal situation.

Meanwhile, landing a player as highly touted as Williams at pick 20 has to be considered a good value pick at a major position of need. Williams was widely seen as one of the best wide receivers in college football before suffering a torn ACL late in the season.

That injury hasn't appeared to have affected his draft stock much, however, with most still expecting him to be a top-20 pick. Williams would give the Jets the high-upside, difference-making wide receiver they've been searching for.

There have been plenty of rumors that the Jets could look to trade down with one of their two first-round picks, and if they could find a QB-needy team willing to move up for one of the top signal-callers in the draft, it's likely the Jets look to capitalize on the opportunity.

This is a realistic, appealing haul that would certainly match the organization's offseason philosophy to build around Zach Wilson.