NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 25: Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is selected with the second overall pick by the New York Jets during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019, at the Draft Main Stage on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, TN. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New York Jets may not have a second round pick, but they are reportedly willing to pay a very big price to get back into the top of the second round.
The Jets took a long time to make their first pick last night because they were looking to trade back and recoup some extra draft picks. Landing Quinnen Williams was a nice start to the draft for the Jets, who needed help on the defensive line, but they are still without a second round pick after sending it to Indianapolis last year in the deal that got them Sam Darnold.
The Jets aren’t on the clock again until pick 68, near the top of the third round, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has been hearing that the Jets are looking to make an aggressive push towards the top of the second round.
Significant future draft capital would involve presumably a minimum of next year’s second rounder, which is problematic for an organization that hasn’t been able to hang onto draft picks for several years in the midst of a rebuild. With the news that Mike Maccagnan may be on the hot seat, however, it makes sense that he could be looking at a big swing to try and save his job.
The Jets have plenty of needs, so they probably see a player who had a high first round grade on their board still sitting there. Offensive line is definitely a concern for the Jets, who could use upgrades at numerous spots along the unit, with Florida’s Jawaan Taylor and Oklahoma’s Cody Ford making sense as tackle options while Texas A&M’s Erik McCoy would start immediately ahead of Jonotthan Harrison at center.
Another area where the Jets could be looking is corner, where there’s a cluster of quality players available right now headlined by LSU’s Greedy Williams and Washington’s Byron Murphy. Darryl Roberts and Trumaine Johnson are the Jets’ current starters at corner, so that position could definitely use an upgrade.
The Jets could also be exploring adding a weapon for Sam Darnold on the outside, with workout warrior D.K. Metcalf and South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel still available as well. This is an awfully big swing to take if the Jets connect on it, so they need to be right or else set themselves up for significant issues in the future.