2013 NFL Draft: New York Jets Interested in Trading Down
Jan 8, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan reviews the 2012 season and address changes for 2013 at the New York Jets Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, the New York Jets are interested in trading down in the first round after acquiring the 13th overall pick from Tampa Bay in the Darrelle Revis trade.
This was pretty widely expected and actually reported on Sunday as well. The Jets have a ton of holes to fill all over their roster, and they are in complete rebuilding mode. I think they will be able to pretty easily trade this pick as well. Here are some potential trade partners that could be willing to jump into the top 13 of the draft.
1. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners have the exact opposite problem of the Jets. They have TOO MANY selections this year, and not nearly enough roster space to accommodate all those picks. They are also reportedly interested in trading up to the top 15, not necessarily the top 10. I think the 49ers would love to get a guy like Kenny Vaccaro to play safety and replace Dashon Goldson, or perhaps they’d move up and get a stud defensive lineman like Star Lotulelei.
They could also be on the hunt for a darkhorse position. What about rush linebacker? Of course, the 49ers have arguably the best group of LBs in the NFL with Aldon Smith, Patrick Willis, Navorro Bowman, and Ahmad Brooks, but they may feel like a pass rusher in this draft is an upgrade opposite Aldon Smith over Brooks.
If Aldon Smith goes down, the Niners have virtually zero depth in the pass rush department, and I think they’d love to add some talent to that area of the team while draft picks are in surplus. They could look to trade up for a guy like Barkevious Mingo, Dion Jordan (not likely), Ezekiel Ansah, Jarvis Jones, Bjoern Werner, or Tank Carradine. I love the fit of Jarvis Jones in San Francisco, but we’ll see there.
The 49ers could also look to add another playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. What about Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert? They lost Delanie Walker to the Tennessee Titans, and their depth at the position is thin behind Vernon Davis. I’m not saying trade up this high for a backup, but Eifert has the potential to be a nightmare for opposing teams in this offense.
2. Atlanta Falcons
There have been reports that the Falcons are looking to deal into the top ten, presumably for a pass rusher or cornerback. The Falcons have some major weaknesses at those two positions specifically, and they have been rumored to be high on Dion Jordan and Dee Milliner. I think there’s a decent chance Milliner is still on the board, but I don’t see Jordan being available with either of the Jets’ first round picks. If he was, they’d probably think twice about trading it.
The Falcons may be in line to trade up and get a guy like Dee Milliner or Xavier Rhodes, or perhaps D.J. Hayden, one of the hottest names out there right now.
Depending what goes on in the top eight picks, I could see the Falcons trading up to get Ziggy Ansah, one of the players with the most upside in this draft. Ansah is a freakish athlete who can rush the quarterback, but he’s really raw. He could be what the Falcons see as a missing piece to their Super Bowl puzzle.
3. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have two first round picks, and were reportedly interested in West Virginia WR Tavon Austin. They will have no shot at Austin if they stay put at 23 and 25. I don’t think they would give up both first rounders to move into one of the Jets’ spots, but they could be willing to give up their 2nd round pick as well as some picks next year.
Minnesota traded a guy in Percy Harvin who they considered to be an MVP candidate before he got hurt last season. That move is going to hurt more than they know. I think adding Austin, a guy who can light it up from anywhere on the field and rack up yards after the catch. They could be seriously interested in moving up ahead of St. Louis to snatch Austin up.