Ever since the Jets placed the franchise tag on Muhammad Wilkerson – and even before that – the defensive lineman has been viewed as a potential trade candidate. With Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams in line for extensions of their own within the next few years, the Jets will have to make a decision on which defensive linemen they want to keep long-term.
According to Tony Pauline at WalterFootball.com, the Jets appear to be at least exploring potential trade options for Wilkerson. Pauline says that “the word coming from Florida pro day” is that the Jets are shopping Wilkerson. However, Pauline cautions that whether or not the team will actually be able to find a suitable deal is another thing altogether.
Wilkerson, 26, enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2015, racking up a career-high 12 sacks and forcing three fumbles, to go along with 64 tackles. Arguably the best defensive player for the Jets last season, Wilkerson also earned his first Pro Bowl berth. However, he broke his leg during New York’s regular-season finale, and while that injury isn’t expected to sideline him at all next season, it may give potential suitors pause.
Additionally, having been franchised, Wilkerson is currently projected to earn a $15.701MM base salary in 2016. Any team trading for Wilkerson would presumably want to extend him beyond ’16, but that pricey franchise salary provides a guideline for what sort of money he’d be seeking on a long-term deal — it would be a very expensive proposition for a club to pay him that sort of money in addition to giving up trade assets for him.
The Jets will likely say they want Wilkerson in the mix for 2016 and beyond, and that could still end up happening, but as I noted late last night, comments from members of the organization hint that a trade remains a possibility. Owner Woody Johnson said on Monday that he wouldn’t be disappointed to see Wilkerson remain with the Jets for 2016, which isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for locking him up to a multiyear extension.
According to Pauline, the Jets would consider Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard a potential draft-day target if they end up trading Wilkerson.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I’m not sure if the Cowboys have enough space but why not trade like their second rounder for him? Their second pick is like a 1st round pick since it’s so early in the round. Then if Ramsey is gone by 4 which is likely trade with the 49ers and get their pick and multiple other ones and draft Elliott
Cowboys need 2 make this move
It will take much more then an early second rounder for Wilkerson
The asking price currently is believed to 1st 2016 &17 or 1st & 2nd 2016 (or player compensation)
So realistically what could the Cowboys offer ?
To give up two 1st Rd picks or a 1st and high 2nd then pay his high contract is way too much. I think a top 5 pick will do. I wouldn’t mind Chargers trading 3rd overall pick for him.
If I’m the Cowboys the most I give up is 2 second rounders and a maybe a 5th or 6th
Teams that could logically give up their 1st round pick based on draft position, need and playing a 3-4 since he’s a 3-4DE. Bills, Packers, Chiefs, Redskins, Broncos, and the 49ers. You can rule out the Bills since they are inter-divisional. I could see the Chiefs w/Houston out 6-12 months, but not enough cap space – same for Broncos and Packers. Redskins could make it work if they cut a player. 49ers make the most sense w/58M in cap space. But honestly, I don’t see them giving up the 7th overall for 1 year of max money on Wilkerson. I could see them swapping 1sts and like a 3rd.
The Browns could also offer that #2 pick in the draft for him and land a Q.B. with their pick #32.
Muhammad Wilkerson should go to the Philadelpia Eagles
Muhammad Wilkerson should go to the Philadelphia Eagles
Oops did it twice
The Jaguars could make this trade happen since we wiffed on DE in FA.
Draft Myles Jack and give our 2&3rd round picks for him. Not to mention Jets need Oline help and Joekel could be bate due to B. Ferguson departure