The New York Jets have looked at several options this offseason with their No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft. The team made solid upgrades during the offseason with players like Brandon Marshall, Stevan Ridley and Darrelle Revis. Their glaring need remains at the quarterback position, but deciding how to solve that is not easy. While head coach Todd Bowles has made it clear he intends to add another quarterback into the mix, will the Jets be aggressive and trade up?
According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, the Jets are eyeing a trade up in the draft for either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. Cimini writes that the Jets are currently bringing in Winston for a visit prior to the NFL Draft. While everyone assumes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the former Florida State star locked in at the No. 1 overall pick, the Jets are eyeing a move. Winston will not drop to No. 6, but Cimini reports that team sources say general manager Mike Maccagnan is discussing what it would cost to trade up in the draft. It is unclear if he wants to move up to No. 1 for Winston or No. 2 for Marcus Mariota who the team has already worked out.
The Jets are looking at every options. Bowles wants another quarterback outside of Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick who could potentially start. ESPN reports they have worked out Brett Hundley and are scheduled to see Bryce Petty as well. They are the next two quarterbacks in the rankings. Both Winston and Mariota will be gone by the time the Jets move up which means they have to trade if they want a top option. The potential of Petty and Hundley in the NFL is unknown at this point.
Either pick is costly. Right now, the Chicago Bears are offering Jay Cutler in exchange for the No. 2 pick. The Cleveland Browns have two first-round picks they can deal in order to move for Mariota. The Jets could get creative and offer Smith, but that is unlikely. Their best bet might end up being Hundley or Petty in a later round. Meanwhile the Jets have worked out top receivers like Amari Cooper and Kevin White as backup plans.
