GMs Say Jets Are as Motivated as Browns to Move Draft Picks

With the draft now nearly upon us, there are a few teams most clearly interested in dropping down the draft board, despite the fat that this draft class is not earning high marks.

We first detailed the Browns clear desire to drop down from the sixth pick in the draft weeks ago and that has not changed one bit. 

That concept has now become mainstreamed into the coverage of the first round, and discussions between the Browns and teams like the Chiefs, Cowboys and others continue.

The Jets are open to moving the second-overall pick as well, though the price is unlikely to be a match. However, their second pick, at 16th overall, is one rival execs have identified as firmly on the market and it would be surprising at this point if New York used that selection. 

It’s possible a trade materializes while New York is on the clock, though our sources indicate the team would prefer to have something in place before then, especially with heh time between picks in the first round being condensed this year.

“They really want to move out of 16,“ said one general manager. 

Why Move Down?

There are injury concerns with some of the players at position of need for the Jets, and the team is frankly so far away from competing that getting future picks in what are likely to be more fertile drafts very much appeals to them, as we hear it. And that certainly makes sense.

New York will address its sagging defense by using the second overall pick most likely on Texas A&M pass rusher David Bailey, though it could be Ohio State pass rusher Arvell Reese, and it’s likely the top tier of offensive lineman are already picked through by the 16th selection. 

Several receivers will be gone as well, and there is a sense the Jets could address those positions later, and also perhaps drop down and still secure one of the top safeties in the draft.

While interest in that area of the draft, where a suspect class starts to wean, is somewhat tepid, rival GMs believe it might not take as much to move up for that pick as would be the case in other drafts. 

“I think you can get it off the (draft value) chart,” the GM said.