Both the Browns and Jets are now in pursuit of Trent Williams. A day after Cleveland’s interest surfaced, The Athletic’s Connor Hughes reports (via Twitter) New York is in the mix for Washington’s left tackle.
The Jets have needs across their offensive line and are expected to address them in free agency and the draft. With the Redskins allowing Williams to seek a trade, another avenue is now open to tackle-needy teams.
Washington’s previous front office, headed by since-ousted exec Bruce Allen, sought a first-round pick for Williams at last year’s trade deadline. With the perennial Pro Bowler set to turn 32 after missing the 2019 season in part because of a health scare, and having not played 16 games in a season since 2013, a first-rounder seems unlikely for the now-Ron Rivera-run Redskins. But multiple teams being in the mix will boost Washington’s chances of extracting a reasonable haul for its long-disgruntled left tackle.
New York has used Kelvin Beachum at left tackle for the past three seasons. An acquisition of since-fired Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, Beachum is now a free agent. The Jets are interested in Titans right tackle Jack Conklin, but may or may not be the favorites to pay the steep price to land him. A Conklin-Williams setup would represent a considerable improvement from recent Jets tackle configurations but would obviously be difficult to pull off.
Williams is due a non-guaranteed $12.5MM in 2020, and the contract-year blocker wants to become the league’s highest-paid tackle. That will be a tough sell, with Lane Johnson signing an $18MM-AAV deal last year. But teams in need at this key position are putting in calls on Williams, so he stands to have a better chance of securing a new contract soon.
Bell for Williams.
Sarcasm
Probably have to add a pick going to Redskins but definitely see this as strong possibility.
Does anyone know what the redskins are looking for?
Is it similar to the Clooney package a 3rd, a replacement player, and a depth player.
Clowney*
With at least 2 teams in on him at least a 2nd rd pick. Last year asking for a 1st rd pick.
OBJ for Williams
18M is a lot for a 33 yr old tackle who hasn’t seen the field in a year and hasnt played a full season since 2013.
So big ask money wise means 3rd or 4th is all Washington gets at the end of the day.
I’m sure William’s agent knows that $18M is an unattainable pipe dream but over inflating the value of your client and posturing is part of the game. If Trent is as eager to get free of the Redskins as he has suggested in the past he will sign elsewhere for much less than that. Washington would have liked to get a first rounder for him but they will likely get at least a 2nd rounder given how few options exist for teams in the market for LTs is.
He’s 31