The New York Jets may look at a Muhammad Wilkerson trade at the NFL draft this year and it comes as the team may consider trading down if they can't get Marcus Mariota, Dante Fowler or Leonard Williams with the number six overall pick.
According to Pro Football Talk, head coach Todd Bowles has not ruled out a trade with Wilkerson, saying that he is currently with the team and that he did not want to "feed into the rumors". But Bowles did not say that a trade would not happen and it could depend on how the first five picks in the draft play out. The Jets could look at trading Wilkerson for more draft picks, or they could use him to move up and get a player like Mariota.
According to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com, the Jets have had calls from at least two teams ahead of the draft to see about the availability of Wilkerson. Wilkerson was a first round pick for the Jets in 2011 and he has not been to voluntary workouts this offseason. Wilkerson is set to make nearly $7 million this season and he did not sign a new deal after previously speaking with former GM John Idzik last season and now he could potentially be traded.
Wilkerson has turned out to be a very good lineman and he could be a target for teams if the Jets look at drafting a replacement. The team may not want to dole out big money on the defensive line if they are targeting players like Williams or Fowler and they could consider making a move. The teams were not disclosed in the report, but if they come out, the article will be updated with those teams.
According to Rich Cimini at ESPN New York, the team likely will take Mariota if he falls to number six, but right now it looks like he will be going higher than that. Cimini reported that the Jets have visited with Leonard Williams and that could signal a willingness to make a deal with Wilkerson eventually.
The Jets have visited with Amari Cooper and they have also met and worked out Mariota this offseason. The team would love for Mariota to fall to number six, but it's very unlikely he gets past number five, if he even makes it that far. Todd Bowles has said that the team will look into trading up, but Maccagnan also added that trading down is an option. Maccagnan puts a lot of value in the draft and that is one reason why the team may not move up to get Mariota, even if they really want him.
The Jets pick at number six and they could wait for the best available player, or they could trade down if the player they want is taken. The Jaguars reportedly want Amari Cooper and if Williams or Fowler are off the board at six, the team could make a move.
