The Tuesday after Week 8 – aka Oct. 29 – is the last day that teams can wheel and deal. That means Jets general manager Joe Douglas has just four weeks to decide whether or not to sell off some of his teams pieces.
DL Leonard Williams
The Jets keep praising the 25-year-old despite his lack of production. "He really has played well," defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said on Friday. "He's graded out high each and every week."
OK, but he still doesn't have a sack and has never become the pass rusher everyone expected, so it's really hard to imagine the Jets giving him the lucrative, long-term contract he's going to seek - especially considering they're already paying him $14.2 million this year. If they're not going to pay him, they should trade him to a team that needs line help and thinks they can help him reach his potential. What's he worth?
"Maybe a third-round pick," one league source said, though others have speculated the price could be higher. "His age makes him worth it," the source said. "His production makes him a hard sell."
G Kelechi Osemele
This seemed like a great move when Maccagnan traded for him in March, but the Jets' line has been terrible and according to one source the coaching staff was considering playing ex-Raven Alex Lewis at left guard even before Osemele (shoulder/knee) missed the game in Philly.
Since Osemele is 30 and due $11.7 million next season his value may be low, and the injuries might make any trade discussion moot. But, as one NFL executive said, "Everyone is looking for experienced offensive line help."
If the Jets are lucky they might be able to recoup the conditional seventh-rounder they sent to Baltimore for Smith, but that's probably it. And only if he gets back on the field, which he won't be able to do on Sunday.
CB Trumaine Johnson
Douglas should be the NFL executive of the year if he can unload Johnson and the rest of his five-year, $72.5 million contract. In his year-and-a-quarter with the Jets he's been fined, suspended, benched, injured, and his play has been terrible at times. At this point, they'd probably be willing to endure the massive salary cap hit they'd take for trading him if they could just rid themselves of the headache.
It's not impossible, even with $50.5 million left on his contract after this season, because none of it's guaranteed (though his 2020 salary of $11 million does become guaranteed if he's on a roster on March 21. But none of the sources contacted by SNY thought anyone would trade for Johnson right now.
RB Le'Veon Bell
It would be crazy, right, trading your best player - and one of the best running backs in the league - just a couple of months into a four-year, $52.5 million contract?
Yes. And it would leave the Jets so barren on offense that they'd be a lock for another Top 5 pick in the NFL draft. This is only something to consider if Douglas shares the view coach Adam Gase expressed back in March, that he didn't want the Jets to spend this much money on the running back position. It's not about the player. It's about asset allocation.
And if Douglas agrees, then Bell might be the most marketable player the Jets have. They'd have to get at least a first-round pick in return, maybe more, considering he's only 27 and his guaranteed money only runs through next season. Bell is probably a player the Jets should be building around at this point. But they at least have to listen if someone calls. So, would anyone call?
"I'd think they'd have a line at their door if they made him available," one scout said.
WR Robby Anderson
The Jets’ offense hasn’t really great made use of Anderson so far this season. Tough to use a deep threat much when your offensive line gives the quarterback zero time in the pocket. Anderson hasn’t lived up to the hype of his breakout 2017 season, either. But if there’s a team that needs a guy who knows how to take the top off a defense, then Anderson could be their guy. He’s about to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, too.
RB Ty Montgomery: The Jets just signed Montgomery this offseason, but only got him on a one-year deal. Montgomery was dealt before the deadline last year, when the Packers shipped him off to the Ravens. His versatility makes him appealing; he can play running back, but started out as a wide receiver. Plus, he looked terrific this preseason, before making way to Le’Veon Bell in the backfield. Perhaps he could find more reps with another team that needs running back help.
OLB Jordan Jenkins: The Jets may be reluctant to part ways with Jenkins, considering he’s one of their better defensive weapons and may be their best pass rusher. But that’s also what makes him valuable, if Douglas is really willing to tear this thing down and gobble up draft picks. Jenkins is far from an elite edge presence, but he could certainly boost a team’s pass rush and provide a handful of sacks for a team in need, if the Jets are willing to part ways with him. He’d be another half-year rental, though, considering he’s in the final year of his deal. So, that tempers the value a bit.
OLB Brandon Copeland: If the Jets don’t want to get rid of Jenkins, maybe they could move his counterpart instead. Copeland would fetch less in return, for sure, but some teams may be interested in him because, ironically enough, he missed four games due to suspension. That means fresh legs. The Jets would really just be looking to grab a late-round pick if they dealt Copeland, though; he’s not a major impact player and his contract is set to expire after this season.
CB Brian Poole: The Jets’ weak point is cornerback, so it sounds strange to suggest they ship off one of those pieces. But Poole has been by far the best performer in that group. He’s a solid-enough slot corner, which would make him attractive to any team that doesn’t have one or loses theirs due to an injury. Plus, he’s cheap ($2 million salary) and only signed through this season. Again, probably limited return due to his rental status, but he could fill a team’s need, which would allow Douglas to leverage him into something useful for the future, at least.
CB Darryl Roberts: Roberts is the only guy signed beyond this season on this list; he’s under contract through 2021. But, there’s no guaranteed money on Roberts’ deal beyond 2019, meaning his new team could cut him after this year with no ramifications. But, if they like him, they can keep him around. The potential hangup? Roberts is not a starter on basically any defense but the Jets’. That, in and of itself, isn’t a problem; there are teams that could use cornerback depth, which Roberts would provide. But, Roberts salary, while cheap for a starter, is high for a backup. He’s set to make $6 million and $7.5 million the next two years. He’d be cheap for whoever snagged him this season, though; his base salary is only $1 million.
DL Leonard Williams
The Jets keep praising the 25-year-old despite his lack of production. "He really has played well," defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said on Friday. "He's graded out high each and every week."
OK, but he still doesn't have a sack and has never become the pass rusher everyone expected, so it's really hard to imagine the Jets giving him the lucrative, long-term contract he's going to seek - especially considering they're already paying him $14.2 million this year. If they're not going to pay him, they should trade him to a team that needs line help and thinks they can help him reach his potential. What's he worth?
"Maybe a third-round pick," one league source said, though others have speculated the price could be higher. "His age makes him worth it," the source said. "His production makes him a hard sell."
G Kelechi Osemele
This seemed like a great move when Maccagnan traded for him in March, but the Jets' line has been terrible and according to one source the coaching staff was considering playing ex-Raven Alex Lewis at left guard even before Osemele (shoulder/knee) missed the game in Philly.
Since Osemele is 30 and due $11.7 million next season his value may be low, and the injuries might make any trade discussion moot. But, as one NFL executive said, "Everyone is looking for experienced offensive line help."
If the Jets are lucky they might be able to recoup the conditional seventh-rounder they sent to Baltimore for Smith, but that's probably it. And only if he gets back on the field, which he won't be able to do on Sunday.
CB Trumaine Johnson
Douglas should be the NFL executive of the year if he can unload Johnson and the rest of his five-year, $72.5 million contract. In his year-and-a-quarter with the Jets he's been fined, suspended, benched, injured, and his play has been terrible at times. At this point, they'd probably be willing to endure the massive salary cap hit they'd take for trading him if they could just rid themselves of the headache.
It's not impossible, even with $50.5 million left on his contract after this season, because none of it's guaranteed (though his 2020 salary of $11 million does become guaranteed if he's on a roster on March 21. But none of the sources contacted by SNY thought anyone would trade for Johnson right now.
RB Le'Veon Bell
It would be crazy, right, trading your best player - and one of the best running backs in the league - just a couple of months into a four-year, $52.5 million contract?
Yes. And it would leave the Jets so barren on offense that they'd be a lock for another Top 5 pick in the NFL draft. This is only something to consider if Douglas shares the view coach Adam Gase expressed back in March, that he didn't want the Jets to spend this much money on the running back position. It's not about the player. It's about asset allocation.
And if Douglas agrees, then Bell might be the most marketable player the Jets have. They'd have to get at least a first-round pick in return, maybe more, considering he's only 27 and his guaranteed money only runs through next season. Bell is probably a player the Jets should be building around at this point. But they at least have to listen if someone calls. So, would anyone call?
"I'd think they'd have a line at their door if they made him available," one scout said.
WR Robby Anderson
The Jets’ offense hasn’t really great made use of Anderson so far this season. Tough to use a deep threat much when your offensive line gives the quarterback zero time in the pocket. Anderson hasn’t lived up to the hype of his breakout 2017 season, either. But if there’s a team that needs a guy who knows how to take the top off a defense, then Anderson could be their guy. He’s about to hit unrestricted free agency this spring, too.
RB Ty Montgomery: The Jets just signed Montgomery this offseason, but only got him on a one-year deal. Montgomery was dealt before the deadline last year, when the Packers shipped him off to the Ravens. His versatility makes him appealing; he can play running back, but started out as a wide receiver. Plus, he looked terrific this preseason, before making way to Le’Veon Bell in the backfield. Perhaps he could find more reps with another team that needs running back help.
OLB Jordan Jenkins: The Jets may be reluctant to part ways with Jenkins, considering he’s one of their better defensive weapons and may be their best pass rusher. But that’s also what makes him valuable, if Douglas is really willing to tear this thing down and gobble up draft picks. Jenkins is far from an elite edge presence, but he could certainly boost a team’s pass rush and provide a handful of sacks for a team in need, if the Jets are willing to part ways with him. He’d be another half-year rental, though, considering he’s in the final year of his deal. So, that tempers the value a bit.
OLB Brandon Copeland: If the Jets don’t want to get rid of Jenkins, maybe they could move his counterpart instead. Copeland would fetch less in return, for sure, but some teams may be interested in him because, ironically enough, he missed four games due to suspension. That means fresh legs. The Jets would really just be looking to grab a late-round pick if they dealt Copeland, though; he’s not a major impact player and his contract is set to expire after this season.
CB Brian Poole: The Jets’ weak point is cornerback, so it sounds strange to suggest they ship off one of those pieces. But Poole has been by far the best performer in that group. He’s a solid-enough slot corner, which would make him attractive to any team that doesn’t have one or loses theirs due to an injury. Plus, he’s cheap ($2 million salary) and only signed through this season. Again, probably limited return due to his rental status, but he could fill a team’s need, which would allow Douglas to leverage him into something useful for the future, at least.
CB Darryl Roberts: Roberts is the only guy signed beyond this season on this list; he’s under contract through 2021. But, there’s no guaranteed money on Roberts’ deal beyond 2019, meaning his new team could cut him after this year with no ramifications. But, if they like him, they can keep him around. The potential hangup? Roberts is not a starter on basically any defense but the Jets’. That, in and of itself, isn’t a problem; there are teams that could use cornerback depth, which Roberts would provide. But, Roberts salary, while cheap for a starter, is high for a backup. He’s set to make $6 million and $7.5 million the next two years. He’d be cheap for whoever snagged him this season, though; his base salary is only $1 million.
