A year ago, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas moved up nine spots to No. 14 overall in exchange for two third-round picks. With that selection, they selected USC interior offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. It is clear and obvious that Douglas is not afraid to make a move for a player they covet.
New York holds the No. 4 and No. 10 overall selections as well as three other picks within the top 100. The team has needs at cornerback, edge rusher, wide receiver, linebacker, and more.
Unless the Jets want to trade back, it seems as though they will stick and pick at No. 4 overall. The most likely options are N.C. State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu, Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner, Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker and Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Those same players, as well as Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., could be in the mix at No. 10 overall, but the well could also be dry by then. If a quarterback or two come off the board, that will benefit teams without a need at the position, including New York. The Jets could also be in a position to move back if a team like the Steelers want to move ahead of Washington for a quarterback.
Here are some of the trade scenarios that could be in play for New York during next month's draft:
Steelers trade up to select a quarterback
Pittsburgh signed quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in free agency, but the terms of that agreement indicate he is a short-term option. The Steelers have been doing a lot of research into the quarterbacks available in the 2022 NFL Draft, and a move up is not out of the question. The details of a trade were essentially ironed out three years earlier when Pittsburgh sent the No. 20 and No. 52 overall selections (both of which they also own this year) and a future third-round pick to Denver in exchange for the No. 10 overall selection. The Steelers used that pick on linebacker Devin Bush. Swap the Broncos for the Jets, and there is already a framework for a deal in place.
By trading back and picking up more draft capital, New York is suddenly fishing in an entirely new pond of prospects. Georgia defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam, Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams, Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave and Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd are just some of the names who could be available. The strength of the 2022 NFL Draft class is its depth, so by adding another second-round pick, New York is loaded with ammunition to make additional moves or supplement the roster significantly.
Jets trade up for Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner
In this scenario, let's assume New York used the No. 4 overall selection on Ekwonu and is now interested in procuring the talents of Gardner or one of those remaining edge rushers. The Jets call the Giants, who hold the No. 7 overall selection, and offer the No. 69 overall selection, in addition to No. 10 overall, for the right to move up and select Gardner.
In this situation, the Jets could turn around and trade Mekhi Becton for a Day 2 pick. Becton may even intrigue the Giants depending upon what they do at No. 5 overall. With Gardner in tow, the Jets are able to move each of the young cornerbacks who helped last year one rung down the ladder; a more suitable role awaits each. Despite the trade, Douglas would still have at least two Day 2 picks to maneuver and add more talent to the roster.
