Moving Up: Jets Land 3rd Overall Pick in Trade with Colts

St. Patrick’s Day has always been about the green, but the New York Jets just threw in their two cents by making it more about the “green & white.” On the day of four-leaf-clovers and pots of gold, the Jets went ahead and made a blockbuster trade with the Indianapolis Colts, landing the 3rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

We've acquired the No. 3 overall pick from the @Colts for our No. 6 overall pick, 37th overall pick, 49th overall pick and our 2019 2nd round pick. https://t.co/VtXr7bNuaQ

— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 17, 2018

The Jets sat at No. 6 before the trade on Saturday. By moving up to three, general manager Mike Maccagnan parted ways with No. 6, as well as No. 37 and 49, both of the team’s second round picks. He also threw in the team’s 2019 2nd round pick.

What Does This All Mean?

In the midst of all of the free agency madness, the Jets still seem to be in the market for a young signal-caller. Although they re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater to the quarterback carosuel, many expect the Jets to attempt to lock up their future in the position in this year’s draft.

By moving up the the 3rd overall pick, the Jets now sit in great position to get the guy of their choice. With the Cleveland Browns already acquiring Tyrod Taylor in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, it is up in the air what they might do at No. 1. The same goes for the Giants at No. 2, who still plan on giving Eli Manning a chance to lead the team.

Although, if the Browns and Giants still do go ahead and draft quarterbacks early on, the Jets will still have options. Perspectively, the Browns are predicted to select Sam Darnold, followed by the Giants taking Josh Rosen. This would leave the Jets open to grabbing either Baker Mayfield or Josh Allen, and reports have circulated about the team’s interest in both.

Some may question if the trade was worth it, however. The Jets will no longer own a second round pick this year, unless Maccagnan can make another trade somewhere. It also raises an eyebrow to the notion that the Jets may have been able to lock down either of those quarterbacks at No. 6. It may be safe to say that the team hoped to jump ahead of the Broncos and Bills before things started to get too messy. The Broncos at No. 5 are likely to go with a QB as well. And many predict the Bills will make a push to get into the top five after acquiring the 12th overall pick just a short while ago.

Maccagnan did well to hold on to his 2019 first rounder, but make no mistake, he's giving up a lot — three 2s. That's three potential starters for a team in rebuilding mode. #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) March 17, 2018

What’s Next?

The Jets will have to examine their options over the course of the next month. Moving up this early shines light on the fact that the team already has a player in mind, but the extended period in time will give them the opportunity to overlook their options.

While most predict the Jets will grab their future franchise quarterback at No. 3, the option of drafting the superb talent of RB Saquon Barkley shouldn’t be ruled out quite yet. It may be an unlikely scenario, but the former Penn State running back is what many call a “generational talent,” and he did grow up a Jets fan…

But for now we wait. The Jets and Mike Maccagnan have had quite the busy start to the new league year, and we shouldn’t expect the madness to end anytime soon.

– Kyle Hirshkind is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @kylehirshkind Follow @FPC_Jets

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