[brid autoplay=”true” video=”806520″ player=”23231″ title=”3%20reasons%20why%20Nick%20Foles%20to%20the%20New%20York%20Jets%20makes%20sense” duration=”67″ description=”Veteran quarterback Nick Foles pretty much remains a man without a role. The New York Jets must find a veteran backup for rookie No. 2 pick Zach Wilson with less-heralded players, James Morgan and Mike White, as the only other quarterbacks on their roster. It stands to reason that the former Super Bowl MVP could be targeted by the Jets. Here are three reasons why it makes sense.” uploaddate=”2021-06-17″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/806520_t_1623962227.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/806520.mp4″]
Days after losing top edge rusher Carl Lawson to a season-ending Achilles rupture, the New York Jets once again find themselves in the market for a pass rusher.
New York paid top dollar to land Lawson, signing the defensive end to a three-year contract worth $45 million. The organization hoped in Robert Saleh’s system, the 26-year-old would take the next step in his career and become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
But Lawson ruptured his Achilles during practice this past week, sidelining him for the entire 2021 season. Now, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are exploring trades for an edge rusher to help fill the void.
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Let’s examine three potential trade targets for the Jets.
New York Jets swing big with Chandler Jones trade
Chandler Jones isn’t happy with his situation in the desert. The All-Pro pass rusher asked the Arizona Cardinals for a trade amid a contract dispute. If the Cardinals aren’t willing to pay him, Jones is happy to play elsewhere and he might like a return to the AFC East.
Jones missed a majority of the 2020 season with a torn biceps, but he is fully healthy. He can still be a dominant player, as demonstrated by his 61 career sacks across five seasons with the Cardinals. New York desperately needs someone who will create some pressure and Jones’ 169 career quarterback hits demonstrate that ability.
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In terms of the cost to acquire him, New York could offer a 2022 second-round pick and a conditional pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. If Jones plays a certain number of games and agrees to a contract extension, the conditional pick could be a Day 2 selection.
Joe Douglas brings in a familiar face
When a general manager doesn’t have a lot of time to address a need, they can fall back on their experience. Joe Douglas worked in the Philadelphia Eagles front office from 2016-’19, playing a prominent role in making draft selections. One of those players Philadelphia drafted, defensive end Derek Barnett.
Barnett is entering a contract year and with the Eagles essentially in a rebuild, now might be the time to move him. He hasn’t quite lived up to his status as the 14th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but this is still a productive edge rusher.
- Derek Barnett stats (2020): 32 total pressures, 17 quarterback hurries, 24 stops and six sacks
Considering the familiarity between the Jets and Eagles’ front offices, negotiations shouldn’t take very long. Plus, New York could save on travel since they are hosting the Eagles for a joint practice this week. It should only cost a fourth- or fifth-round pick to land Barnett.
New York Jets take a chance on Robert Quinn
Needless to say, the Chicago Bears regret that five-year, $70 million contract they gave to Robert Quinn. The 31-year-old simply isn’t fitting in Chicago. He recorded just two sacks and six quarterback hits in 15 games last season and the fit looks even worse now.
A change of scenery might be good for both sides. It’s unlikely Quinn returns to the 11.5-sack player we saw in 2019 with the Dallas Cowboys, but he combined for 27 quarterback hits and 15 sacks from 2017-’18 with the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins.
The Bears could cover a portion of Quinn’s $11.5 million salary this season and might get a late Day 3 pick in exchange. It’s not the outcome they wanted, but the team is likely better off for it. As for the Jets, they take a chance on Quinn this year and could cut him next offseason if he’s clearly done.