New York Jets: Only One Way To Trade For 1st Pick

By now the news has spread that the Tennessee Titans have made the #1 pick in the 2016 NFL draft available, and if the rumors are to be believed then there are plenty of teams with at least some interesting in moving up to get it.  Among those teams, to the shock of many, is the New York Jets.

Now the reason for them having interest isn’t the surprise.  The Jets have a gaping hole at quarterback and the #1 pick would assure them of getting the absolute best one on the board, whether it’s Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch or another mystery name.  Ryan Fitzpatrick still looks like a long shot to re-sign and even if he does, the team is now convinced they need a long-term solution.

The surprise is the fact that the Jets hold the 20th pick in the 1st round.  One can only imagine the package it would take to convince the Titans to move down that far.  It took Washington two future 1st rounders and a 2nd rounder just to go from #6 to #2 in 2012.  Part ownership of the franchise might not be out of the question if the Jets are serious about making a leap of 19 draft slots.

There may be only one feasible way in which they hope to accomplish this task without completely sacrificing their future with a bounty of draft picks.  That way has name.  It is Muhammad Wilkerson.

The two-time All-Pro defensive end is seeking a long-term deal, one the Jets aren’t in a position to pay him.  It’s led to speculation that the team is interesting in trading him.  Since the Titans run a 3-4 defense, the same he’s played in his entire career, it would be of great interest for Tennessee to pair him with their own young stud in Jurrell Casey.

That might be just enough to soften the blow.  New York would still have to pay up in future high draft choices but it at least might not be crippling.  Much of how interested they are will depend on the next couple of weeks and what happens with their quarterback situation.