New York Jets: What their big trade says about the quarterbacks

What does the New York Jets’ big pre-draft trade say about the quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft class? We take a look…

The New York Jets made a big trade to move up three spots in the 2018 NFL Draft from the sixth overall spot to the third overall spot.

The price to move up was different than the price some teams paid in last season’s draft (generally a first round pick in the current draft, a future first rounder, and an additional day two pick), but just as expensive.

The Jets and Colts swapped first round picks, and the Jets added in two second round choices this season as well as a second round pick in 2019.

Two first round picks in this year’s draft are worth about the same value as a first round pick (and the Jets’ number 37 overall pick is basically an extended first rounder…), and a future second is generally given the same value as a current year third round pick.

Side note: I’ve never understood that concept, but I digress…

Given the Jets’ desperation for a quarterback, it’s surprising they did not try to secure a trade up higher than the third overall selection, but I think there’s something we can read into there besides just the fact that the Jets don’t make trades with the Giants.

Here’s what I read into this trade:

The Jets have no fewer than three quarterbacks graded at the top of their board.

This is particularly exciting for me, because when I put together my quarterback rankings after watching all of their games throughout this season, I had three players (Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen) with virtually equal grades, and ranked them as 1a, 1b, and 1c.

So, this trade up by the Jets is some personal validation that at least one NFL team agrees with what I’m saying, but it’s also indicative of the fact that the top three picks are likely to include three quarterbacks.

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The Jets might not have the same top three quarterbacks as me. It’s entirely possible that Wyoming’s Josh Allen is included in their top three, or perhaps they even have him in equal standing with the three players I mentioned, which would give them four players at the quarterback position with the same grade.

Assuming that’s the case, the Jets have assured themselves of a player they feel is worthy of a ‘QB1′ status on their draft board. They undoubtedly have multiple players with that distinction, or they have multiple players with a QB2 distinction and they already know who the Cleveland Browns are taking with the first overall pick.

One thing is certain: The Jets are getting a quarterback. The Browns are getting a quarterback. We assume the second overall pick will also be a quarterback.

The Jets appear okay with the fact that someone could either jump ahead of them into the Giants’ second overall pick, or that the Giants could take a quarterback there if they want.

There’s also a chance that the Giants could take a non-quarterback with that second overall pick, but regardless of their plans, the Jets’ trade into number three says a lot about this year’s quarterback class depth and that New York is comfortable building their future around one of the top three guys on their board.

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