Everybody had those few players that they wish were on the team they root for, even though a trade is unlikely. While the New York Jets would most likely trade for draft picks this offseason, there are some quality players that they should at least consider acquiring via trade. Some players on this list are impending free agents. They are on this list because of their talent and the fact that they may be re-signed to their teams. Here are five players that really stick out for the Jets to trade for at a relatively low price:
1. Zac Dysert, QB Denver Broncos
Going back to his days at the University of Miami (Ohio), Zac Dysert has shown immense talent. It is a wonder how he was selected in just the seventh round. Dysert went to the same college as Ben Rothlesberger and became the school’s all-time passing leader! He showed similar traits to Big Ben, as well. Dysert is big-bodied, hard to take down, elusive in the pocket, gets out of trouble, and can throw on the run. He passes with power and accuracy, but in his college years, he did not have any good receivers to throw to. If he had been on a great team, rather than a small school lacking receiving talent, Dysert would have been the frontrunner for number one pick overall. Dysert was drafted in the 2013 draft and is just 24 years old. He has been learning from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, in Peyton Manning. When Manning retires, Brock Osweiler will likely become the starter, as Dysert is presently the third string quarterback. Because of his position on the depth chart, he may be a buy-low trade candidate for the Jets, who are in need of a franchise quarterback. Dysert is a skilled player who could make the most of the Jets’ weak offensive line.
2. Aldon Smith, OLB San Francisco 49ers
Before all of the legal trouble, Aldon Smith was the one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He had fourteen sacks in his rookie season. Rather having a sophomore slump, he actually drastically improved in his second year, notching 19.5 sacks. After that, many thought he would go on to become an all-time great. Several incidents including injuries, but mostly arrests, have kept this star off the field. In his limited playing time during the last two seasons, he had minimal impact due to his unpreparedness and lack of chemistry with players. A change of scenery would be best for Smith, and the Jets could surely use an elite pass rushing outside linebacker. Across the country, away from his present problems, hopefully he could stay out of trouble. If he can, it would be well worth a trade of any kind to get him. Due to his legal troubles, he should be more of a buy-low option.
3. Antoine Cason, CB Baltimore Ravens
Antoine Cason struggles in coverage, for sure, but has avoided the injury bug since 2008, when he entered the league. Cason has never had more than four interceptions in one season, but has had two in each of his six other seasons. He even has experience under Jets’ Head Coach Todd Bowles, as Cason played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 while Bowles was the Defensive Coordinator. Cason is also very good at forcing fumbles, as he did so four times last season. He has knocked the ball out eight times in his seven-year career so far. The Jets would love to have a cornerback who can knock the ball lose, as most cant due to their smaller size. The 6’1” 195 lbs corner who runs an official 4.45 40-yard dash has the size to cover any receiver and strip any ball carrier. The Ravens only picked him up off waivers due to their slew of injuries to their secondary. Due to this, he is easily a buy-low, low-risk, medium-reward player the Jets should seriously consider trading for. Cason will be a free agent this offseason, but if the Ravens decide to re-sign him, I see no reason for the Jets to not make an offer. If he does hit free agency, they should take him with the money left over from their blockbuster signings.
4. Mike Adams, S Indianapolis Colts
Adams is another talented player who will hit free agency if not re-signed. Due to his highly productive 2014 season, there is reason to believe he will be re-signed despite his old age of 33. Adams had five interceptions last season, forced two fumbles, and made a career-high 77 tackles. In all of the 2014 season, the Jets had just six interceptions. Because he has 11 years of experience under his belt, he can be a player-coach for the Jets if they acquire him. Plus, he would help the Jets get their occasional takeaway that they so desperately needed last season. Adams could be an excellent mentor to the Jets’ young safeties like Calvin Pryor, Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Rontez Miles. Ed Reed, while he played a different position, helped mentor Dee Milliner in the final few weeks of the 2013 season, resulting in Milliner getting three interceptions in a span of three games to end the season. While Mike Adams is no Ed Reed, by any stretch of the imagination, having a teammate who is also your mentor really helps the development of a player.
5. Kenny Stills, WR New Orleans Saints
Kenny Stills is a very talented wide receiver hidden behind a great receiving corpse, and yet he still quietly managed to have an impressive season, catching 63 of his 83 targets for 931 yards and three touchdowns. Stills has good size, 6’1” 194 lbs, but what is most impressive is his speed. He ran an unofficial, unbelievable 4.28 40 yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine in 2013. His official time was 4.38, which is still super-impressive. Stills has excellent body control, as well. He is more of a deep threat option. His problem is he just isn’t tough and gets dominated against physical corners. If he can bulk up a little and become tougher, Stills can be a number one receiver in the NFL. For now, he is more of a big play specialist. He isn’t elusive or quick- he is just great at getting separation on the deep ball.
1. Zac Dysert, QB Denver Broncos
Going back to his days at the University of Miami (Ohio), Zac Dysert has shown immense talent. It is a wonder how he was selected in just the seventh round. Dysert went to the same college as Ben Rothlesberger and became the school’s all-time passing leader! He showed similar traits to Big Ben, as well. Dysert is big-bodied, hard to take down, elusive in the pocket, gets out of trouble, and can throw on the run. He passes with power and accuracy, but in his college years, he did not have any good receivers to throw to. If he had been on a great team, rather than a small school lacking receiving talent, Dysert would have been the frontrunner for number one pick overall. Dysert was drafted in the 2013 draft and is just 24 years old. He has been learning from one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, in Peyton Manning. When Manning retires, Brock Osweiler will likely become the starter, as Dysert is presently the third string quarterback. Because of his position on the depth chart, he may be a buy-low trade candidate for the Jets, who are in need of a franchise quarterback. Dysert is a skilled player who could make the most of the Jets’ weak offensive line.
2. Aldon Smith, OLB San Francisco 49ers
Before all of the legal trouble, Aldon Smith was the one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He had fourteen sacks in his rookie season. Rather having a sophomore slump, he actually drastically improved in his second year, notching 19.5 sacks. After that, many thought he would go on to become an all-time great. Several incidents including injuries, but mostly arrests, have kept this star off the field. In his limited playing time during the last two seasons, he had minimal impact due to his unpreparedness and lack of chemistry with players. A change of scenery would be best for Smith, and the Jets could surely use an elite pass rushing outside linebacker. Across the country, away from his present problems, hopefully he could stay out of trouble. If he can, it would be well worth a trade of any kind to get him. Due to his legal troubles, he should be more of a buy-low option.
3. Antoine Cason, CB Baltimore Ravens
Antoine Cason struggles in coverage, for sure, but has avoided the injury bug since 2008, when he entered the league. Cason has never had more than four interceptions in one season, but has had two in each of his six other seasons. He even has experience under Jets’ Head Coach Todd Bowles, as Cason played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 while Bowles was the Defensive Coordinator. Cason is also very good at forcing fumbles, as he did so four times last season. He has knocked the ball out eight times in his seven-year career so far. The Jets would love to have a cornerback who can knock the ball lose, as most cant due to their smaller size. The 6’1” 195 lbs corner who runs an official 4.45 40-yard dash has the size to cover any receiver and strip any ball carrier. The Ravens only picked him up off waivers due to their slew of injuries to their secondary. Due to this, he is easily a buy-low, low-risk, medium-reward player the Jets should seriously consider trading for. Cason will be a free agent this offseason, but if the Ravens decide to re-sign him, I see no reason for the Jets to not make an offer. If he does hit free agency, they should take him with the money left over from their blockbuster signings.
4. Mike Adams, S Indianapolis Colts
Adams is another talented player who will hit free agency if not re-signed. Due to his highly productive 2014 season, there is reason to believe he will be re-signed despite his old age of 33. Adams had five interceptions last season, forced two fumbles, and made a career-high 77 tackles. In all of the 2014 season, the Jets had just six interceptions. Because he has 11 years of experience under his belt, he can be a player-coach for the Jets if they acquire him. Plus, he would help the Jets get their occasional takeaway that they so desperately needed last season. Adams could be an excellent mentor to the Jets’ young safeties like Calvin Pryor, Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Rontez Miles. Ed Reed, while he played a different position, helped mentor Dee Milliner in the final few weeks of the 2013 season, resulting in Milliner getting three interceptions in a span of three games to end the season. While Mike Adams is no Ed Reed, by any stretch of the imagination, having a teammate who is also your mentor really helps the development of a player.
5. Kenny Stills, WR New Orleans Saints
Kenny Stills is a very talented wide receiver hidden behind a great receiving corpse, and yet he still quietly managed to have an impressive season, catching 63 of his 83 targets for 931 yards and three touchdowns. Stills has good size, 6’1” 194 lbs, but what is most impressive is his speed. He ran an unofficial, unbelievable 4.28 40 yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine in 2013. His official time was 4.38, which is still super-impressive. Stills has excellent body control, as well. He is more of a deep threat option. His problem is he just isn’t tough and gets dominated against physical corners. If he can bulk up a little and become tougher, Stills can be a number one receiver in the NFL. For now, he is more of a big play specialist. He isn’t elusive or quick- he is just great at getting separation on the deep ball.
