Getty Former Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers celebrating after a big play during an NFL game.
The New York Jets might not be done making moves.
ESPN released a column on Wednesday, April 26 featuring the latest buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL draft. NFL draft analyst Matt Miller shared what he was hearing about the Jets ahead of the first round on Thursday:
“Based on conversations with people around the league and sources with knowledge of the Jets’ draft plans, the team has spent considerable time and resources doing work on another Buckeye wide receiver.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, my top-ranked wideout, is expected to be off the board by the time the Jets draft at No. 15 — he might even go to the Packers at No. 13 following that swap — but if you’re looking for a Thursday night surprise, this could be it.”
OH BABY:
@nfldraftscout said the #Jets have been doing a ton of work on @OhioStateFB WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba ahead of the 2023 #NFLDraft.
“If you’re looking for a Thursday night surprise, this could be it” hinting at a potential trade-up from No. 15 to land the dynamic playmaker!
Jets Could Do Something Packers Never Did for Aaron Rodgers
On Monday, April 24 the Jets agreed in principle to acquire Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
One way they could make him even happier is by doing something his old team never did, draft a receiver in the first round.
The last time Green Bay selected a wideout in the opening round was 2002. Rodgers wasn’t a member of the team until 2005.
Gang Green did it just last season when they selected Garrett Wilson with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. However, they have never selected a wideout with back-to-back first-round picks in the modern NFL draft era (since 1970).
What a Jets Draft Trade up Could Look Like?
Miller doesn’t believe JSN will be available by the time the Jets are on the clock at No. 15 overall. So the Thursday night “surprise” he was referencing would be a trade-up to get in front of the Packers to steal him away.
According to the NFL draft value chart, the No. 15 overall pick is worth 1,050 points. The No. 12 overall pick which belongs to the Houston Texans and is one pick ahead of the Packers is worth 1,200 points.
That means Gang Green has to come up with 150 points to make up the difference.
The No. 43 overall pick in the second round would be way too rich for the Jets, but the problem is all of their other picks are on day three of the draft.
If you combined the value of each of those selections (a fourth-rounder and a pair of fifth-rounders) it would only equal 126.3 points.
That means the Jets would have to get creative to pull off a trade. Things the team could explore are adding players into the deal or dipping into future assets in the 2024 NFL draft.
When you acquire a player of Rodgers’ caliber you shift your mentality to all in. All of a sudden things in the future matter a little less and it’s all about the present.
The Jets will attempt to put themselves in the best possible position in 2023 to go win the whole darn thing. One way the Jets could do that is by acquiring another playmaker for Rodgers and someone opposing defenses will have to gameplan for next season.