Before the legal tampering period kicked off, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com said it was more likely than not that the Jets would trade Sam Darnold, assuming that BYU QB Zach Wilson — whom the Jets would select with the No. 2 overall pick to replace Darnold — “checks the important boxes during the pre-draft process.” Cimini said at the time that there was a market for Darnold, and he named Washington, the Bears, the Seahawks, the Texans, and the 49ers as potential landing spots.
But since then, WFT signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chicago acquired Andy Dalton. Obviously, neither of those QBs are long-term answers, but they do at least obviate an immediate need for a signal-caller. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are moving forward with Russell Wilson, Houston may be unable to trade incumbent QB Deshaun Watson in light of the sexual abuse allegations that have been levied against him, and it’s unclear how actively San Francisco is pursuing an upgrade over Jimmy Garoppolo. As such, the Jets might not be able to trade Darnold, and it will be interesting to see if that will impact the team’s decision with respect to Zach Wilson (or any other rookie passer).
Now for more out of the Empire State:
- In less exciting Jets news, the team is still looking into free agent kickers and wants to find a starting-caliber corner, as Cimini writes. The CB need will probably be filled in the draft; Cimini does not expect the club to pursue Richard Sherman, despite the obvious Sherman-Robert Saleh connection.
- It might go without saying, but when the Giants agreed to a three-year, $63MM pact with DL Leonard Williams a few days ago, Williams agreed to drop his grievance concerning his 2020 franchise tag, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Williams was tagged as a defensive tackle but believed he should have received a defensive end tag, and if he had prevailed, his tag number for 2021 would have jumped to $21.4MM. Since he got a $21MM AAV on his extension, things worked out just fine for him in the end.
- Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, Williams — who is clearly not afraid to bet on himself — pushed for a shorter contract so that he can hit the open market again before he turns 30. Duggan says the Giants have explored restructures for 2020 signees James Bradberry and Blake Martinez, something the club may need to really push for now that it has agreed to a big-money deal for WR Kenny Golladay.
- The Giants signed veteran TE Kyle Rudolph earlier this week, but his addition does not impact Evan Engram‘s status with the team, a source tells Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. Engram will play out the 2021 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and hopes for a strong platform performance after struggling a bit in 2020.
- These days, instead of being forced to reach out to agents to convince their clients to play in western New York, agents are the ones calling the Bills, as Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News writes. Head coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane have created a winning club and a positive culture, and players around the league are taking notice and now see Buffalo as an attractive destination. While the Bills didn’t have a ton of cap space heading into this year’s free agent cycle — or many major holes to fill — they did bring in WR Emmanuel Sanders, whom they had targeted for several years. Sanders is a prime example of the changing feelings towards Buffalo, saying “[w]ho wouldn’t want to be part of it?” (via John Wawrow of the Associated Press).
I’m confused about the Giants free agents moves. They have pick #11 I think they could of had Pitts or one of the top 3-4 WRs instead of signing Golladay or Rudolph. The money they used on Rudolph or Golladay could of been used elsewhere. Hopefully at #11 they can get a pash rusher. They still haven’t replaced JPP after trading him.
I think they are more setting themselves up to take best available and not feel forced just to take a WR or TE. They were able to make it work to fit in Golladay and Rudolph and both are good red zone weapons. They needed that big splash. But I agree they definitely need edge rusher, another CB, and more Oline. Maybe they could even trade Engram for a 3rd or a 4th to help with this.
I agree 100% the Giants are looking at what’s best available but with Dave Gettleman you never know. Giants need oline help more then defense help. this is a make or break year for Daniel Jones, looking how Josh Allan did with the Bills last season. It was great.
I doubt either is avail at 11, but I like what Parsons and Surtain bring to the table.
Pitts won’t be there at 11
Some have Pitts going as high as 2 to the Jets
Yeah and Kiper has him going 4th overall to the Falcons, if I am not mistaken.
Some have Pitts going as high as 2 to the Jets
That’s disgusting
Pitts will be long gone by#11
I also think they were looking at who would most help out their young QB now, and a sure-handed safety blanket like Rudolph and a contested catch beast like Golladay fit the bill better than any rookie could.
Have you SEEN the Giants OL struggles the last 3-4 years?! They’ll either take the top OL remaining, or trade back and acquire picks for depth.
Granted, they’d be stupid to pass on a talent like Pitts or one of the stud WR’s, but they needed to ensure they grabbed Rudolph/Golladay now.
I’ve said it a million times. I don’t think any QB in this draft outside of a healthy Trevor Lawrence would fare better than Sam Darnold with the current supporting cast. The Jets should keep #2 and pick Penei Sewell.
Chris Simms suggests the Jets should run up to the podium and select Zach Wilson at #2 overall. Could be the next Aaron Rodgers, with a LaFlauer as Offensive Coordimator.
Chris Simms is an idiot.
Jets already have a left tackle that’s really good and Penei Sewell is a left tackle that said that he wasn’t willing to switch to the right side.
I agree jets are going QB or Wr/pitt.
Mekhi Becton was a right tackle in college. Having the two of them as bookends for the OL would be amazing.
Couldn’t agree more
My money is still on Darnold going to the 49ers. Backup Jimmy G for a year.
The Pats would take him, if the Jets were dumb enough to trade him within the division.
ok… Thank You
Move Becton to RT, draft Penei Sewell. And deal with making Becton the highest paid RT if he ends up being that dude to avoid Orlan6d Brown Jr crybaby trade demands.
I agree, Sewell is best choice at 2, it’s too high to pick any other position
Steelers should offer Haskins and a 5th for him.
As a Jets fan I want them to stay with Sam and see what he does with good coaching and some upgrades. He is still 23.
Moving back is a must..Either to the Falcons at 4 or Carolina at 8.
From what I’ve read they can get 2 #2’s going back to 4 and select either Pewell or Pitts.
At 8 I’ve read the return would be after the switch, a 2 and 3 this year and a 1 and 3 next.
That would fill alot of holes.
In order to shorten this I’ll just give my picks based on going back to #4.
Pick#4 Sewell over Pitts and bookend him with Bechton.
Pick #23 OL Creed Humphry..O-line now has 3 guys here for the next decade pancaking DL
Pick #34 RB Travis Ettinne Clemsom
Pick #36 (Falcs) Edge Jayson Eweh Clemson
#66 TE Pat Frierirmuth Penn State
#86 CB Tay Gowen UCF
#98 LB Baron Browning Ohio State
#107 S Andre Cisco Syracuse..would have gone in round 2 if not for turn ACL.
#149 CB Israel Mukuamu S. Carlina..brings slot of leangth
I’d like to see them take a shot on Jadeveon Clowney to finish a very good offseason.
It will take one more draft to get this Jets team to being a serious Playoff contender.
With 3 #1s (Jets Seattle, Atlanta) two 2s (Jets and Falcs) three 3s (Jets Falcs Seattle) The Jets will have 8 picks in the first 96 not to mention 3 most likely in the top 20
i with you on everything except I think i have to go with Pitts over Sewell.
either way they really do need to trade down.
agree Jets should keep Darnold and trade down for more draft picks. At #8 they could go TE, OT, WR. they also need to address CB, since none were acquired during free agency. But giving Darnold a good offensive line that he can actually have time to show what he can do. He’s played through chaos for about 3 years now and never said anything negative, so he does have character and heart.
Agree, Jets should keep Darnold and trade down for more draft picks. At #8 they could go TE, OT, WR. they also need to address CB, since none were acquired during free agency. But giving Darnold a good offensive line that he can actually have time to show what he can do. He’s played through chaos for about 3 years now and never said anything negative, so he does have character and heart.
I understand with you wanting to stay with Sam but Robert Saleh might want to bring in a qb of his Choice. what happen if Sam does bad in his system it’s a waste of a season.
That would be great as a mock, but most of these guys will go earlier I think than you have them pegged. Freirmuth in particular may be the second TE picked after Pitts, potentially. Browning could also go a round earlier. Mukuamu also could go as high as the third or fourth(not likely, and I expect his teammate Jaycee Horn to go higher than he does). Just a guy reading, not guarantees for any of those. Not bad for filling needs, but some of these guys I think could be gone.
Jets w needs everywhere, should trade out if a haul is there.
See them, at least hope trade to #4 Falcons or #8 Carolina