Despite what Adam Gase tells you, the Jets look to be in “fire sale” mode. Cutting Le’Veon Bell and trading Steve McLendon are direct examples of this. Joe Douglas is looking towards this offseason and past the remaining ten games of 2020. He is saving players like Bell and McLendon as a favor to save them from a sinking ship as opposed to keeping them in a lost season and letting a situation turn toxic. In this case, I’m sure he isn’t done. Who else could be moved before the trade deadline?
Here are some of my thoughts and predictions:
Linebacker Avery Williamson
Return: Fifth-round pick
Possible destinations: Bengals, Browns, Eagles, Steelers
Williamson is still an above-average inside linebacker even after coming back from missing all of 2019 with a torn ACL. Williamson, after being scratched from the Jets week one matchup with the Bills, has been used as a rotational linebacker with Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman, and even Alec Ogletree. There will be teams who want to upgrade at linebacker and take advantage of the Joe Douglas fire sale. There is also a strong possibility that both sides mutually agree to move on before the trade deadline. My prediction is that if he gets moved, with Devin Bush now out for the season after suffering a torn ACL, the Steelers will acquire Williamson for a fifth-round pick. The move frees up $4.75 million for the Jets.
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins
Return: Sixth-round pick
Possible destinations: Ravens
Joe Douglas brought Jenkins back this offseason on a one year deal. While Jenkins eventually re-signed on a deal that he reportedly felt like was for less than he was worth, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have a market — the Ravens maintained interest throughout his free-agency period. For a player that led the Jets with eight sacks for three consecutive years, Jenkins may be turned off from the franchise and move on this upcoming offseason. Entering free agency, it would be no secret that the Ravens will show interest yet again. My prediction is that if he gets moved, the Ravens send a late-round pick for Jenkins and lock him down now, adding to their defense. Jenkins to Baltimore for a sixth-round pick.
Receiver Jamison Crowder
Return: Second-round pick
Possible destinations: Eagles, Packers
Crowder has continued to raise his value this season, catching seven balls for over one hundred yards in every game he’s played except one so far. He is currently playing on an expiring contract that will pay him $9.5 million this season and with backup slot receiver, Braxton Berrios, snagging touchdowns in both of the two games that Crowder missed, moving Crowder is even more likely. If Joe Douglas is really looking to flip this roster in the offseason, moving Crowder is a very possible and logical move. Crowder is a very effective weapon in the slot and will make an immediate impact on any team, so I predict a contender looking to go on a run like the Packers call up Joe Douglas. Crowder and a fifth-round pick to Green Bay for a second-round pick.
Safety Marcus Maye
Return: Third-round pick
Possible destinations: Browns, Raiders, Ravens
Maye is a safety who thrives playing centerfield in the secondary. The Jets have drafted a project safety in Ashtyn Davis, who specializes in the same aspect. Maye is on an expiring contract and could be on his way out this offseason. One team that may be looking for a centerfielder after losing Earl Thomas II earlier this season is the Ravens. If Maye is moved, I predict he is traded to Baltimore for a third-round pick.
Honorable mentions:
Cornerback Brian Poole
Return: Fifth-round pick
Possible destinations: 49ers, Panthers, Rams
I believe Poole should be a building block for our defense and I have faith that Joe Douglas believes the same. I do not think Poole gets traded at the deadline because I don’t think anyone comes with the right offer. The team I predict will show the most interest is the 49ers because of their lack of cornerback depth due to injury.
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams
Return: Second-round and fourth-round picks
Possible destinations: Cowboys, Panthers, Raiders
Joe Douglas is not shopping Williams and will not trade him unless approached with an offer that blows him away, a.k.a a first-round pick. The problem is, nobody is willing to trade their first-rounder for him. In this case, Douglas will simply stick with Williams.
Quarterback Sam Darnold
Return: Second-round pick
Possible destinations: Bears, Colts, Steelers
While I think Darnold is moved before the 2021 season, I do not think it will be before the trade deadline. There is too much risk of losing the first overall pick to move on from Darnold before the team clinches the first pick. I also believe it will take more than a second-round pick for any team to acquire him. If one team were to make a push to trade for Darnold before the deadline, I predict it would be the Steelers to let him learn the offense and develop the rest of the season on the bench behind an aging Ben Roethlisberger.
Offensive tackle Chuma Edoga
Return: Seventh-round pick
Possible destinations: Cowboys, Eagles
The only reason a team would show interest in Edoga would be if their offensive tackle depth has been obliterated by injuries — in that case, the Cowboys and Eagles. These two teams may resort to sending a late-round pick for Edoga. Nothing crazy, but if Edoga were to be moved, I predict he is traded to Dallas for a seventh-round pick.
