The Jets have publicly expressed their openness to a Sam Darnold trade, with Joe Douglas saying the team is fielding calls on the young quarterback, and that there has been no firm decision made on the franchise’s future at the quarterback position.
If New York elects to go the route many expect and deal Darnold, when could a potential trade happen? With so many quarterback dominos yet to fall around the league, when could Gang Green potentially maximize a return for the former third overall pick?
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk points to the end of round one in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“I think the market is something that’ll develop once we see who doesn’t get one of the available quarterbacks now, and who may not get the quarterback they’re targeting in the first round,” Florio told Moose & Maggie on Tuesday. “Whether it’s the Bears…there will be a team or two that when they get through the first round of the draft, is still saying ‘Holy crap, who is our quarterback going to be this year?’”
If the Jets have already solidified their quarterback position by then, it could be the optimal time to move Darnold, who has struggled in his three seasons with New York.
“That seems to be the sweet spot for the Jets if they take a Zach Wilson or another with the second overall pick,” Florio said. “Then they’ve got a Darnold in that 18-hour window from the end of round one to the start of round two, and you can shop him then, like what the Cardinals did with Josh Rosen after taking Kyler Murray two years ago, and maybe get a second round pick, maybe get more.”
If the Jets wants to see anything close to what they gave up to move up in the 2018 draft and get Darnold, they may have to hold out until that window.
“Remember, they gave up three second round picks just so go from six to three three years ago, so they’re going to want to maximize their return,” Florio said. “Maybe the way to do that is to get a couple teams that are panicking after round one that didn’t get the guy they want, and our now ready to give up something significant to get Sam Darnold.”
Listen to Florio's entire appearance on Moose & Maggie below!
Follow WFAN's midday team on Twitter: @MandMWFAN, @MarcMalusis, and @MaggieGray
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch