Sportsnaut
The New York Jets‘ season was over weeks ago, but it wasn’t until Week 18 that the best news of the year arrived when they officially landed the No. 2 pick in April’s NFL Draft. The high-value selection comes at the perfect time because the franchise is in desperate need of a long-term answer at quarterback.
Heading into this year’s event, Indiana Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore are considered the top two QBs available. With the Las Vegas Raiders owning the top pick, all signs point to them taking Mendoza.
The possibility was further solidified after the Hoosier QB soundly outplayed Moore in the Peach Bowl. The Ducks signal callers’ showing was so rough that there is a real chance it will make the NY Jets reconsider taking him at No. 2.
If Gang Green isn’t in love with the idea of making Moore the second overall selection, let’s look at some potential trades the team could make to maximize the value of the pick in unexpected ways.
The NY Jets have a major luxury in April because they have the 16th pick overall, too. So they don’t need to force things and can trade down while adding proven talent to the roster. With the Cleveland Browns just as desperate for a franchise QB, Gang Green could take advantage of that while adding a game-changing talent.
There have long been rumblings about a Myles Garrett trade. Could the second and sixteenth picks this year, and a first, third, and fourth in 2027, be enough to land him and get Cleveland’s pick at six? Maybe. It would give New York the best pass rusher in the game after trading two defensive Pro Bowlers in October, and the chance to take an elite QB or a top six player in April.
Last month, Cincinnati Bengals superstar Joe Burrow created wild speculation that he was growing tired of his time in Cincy. While the talk has calmed down since, he left the door open a crack. So, the NY Jets should still inquire and dangle the No. 2 pick.
They should make the same offer they would for Garrett, sans the first-round swap. Is it a big risk? Sure, but it gets Gang Green the franchise QB they have long wanted, and he is only 29. For the Bengals, they get an elite prospect to replace the injury-prone Burrow for far cheaper and more valuable draft assets to improve the roster.
Dante Moore getting to throw to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins would give him an excellent chance at immediate success, so it’s worth considering for Cincy. A trio of Burrow, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall (if they can re-sign him) is quite formidable....
