New York Jets
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

The New York Jets had to do something in the 2018 NFL Draft. They got a head start on that with their latest move up. 

This was always set up to be a make or break year for the tandem of New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles. Last year was a mulligan.

The national media suggested the Jets wouldn’t win a game and the roster was devoid of proven talent. The bar was set so low that the Jets just had to do the bare minimum to ‘exceed’ expectations.

The training wheels are off now, this team is expected to learn how to ride a bicycle sooner rather than later.

No one knew that more than Maccagnan and that’s why he made this blockbuster move.

The Jets received the No. 3 overall pick, while the Indianapolis Colts got the Jets sixth overall choice and three second-round picks (two in the 2018 NFL Draft and one in the 2019 NFL Draft).

Now for those suggesting that the Jets gave up way too much, I have two comments for you. First, do you know the Jets’ track record as it pertains to the second round over the last several years? Let me remind you:

I mean come on now. Most of these were busts (Stephen Hill, Vlad Ducasse, Jace Amaro) and the few who had success were marginal (Justin Miller and Kellen Clemens). While David Harris is a future Ring of Honor member and Marcus Maye looks like a hit, he’s only in his second year and even a blind squirrel eventually finds a nut (Harris).

So since Gang Green has been so horrible in the second round, does it really matter if you gave up a 100 second round picks? Honestly, according to the analytics and ratios, a first-round pick has a way higher rate of success than a second rounder, which is where the draft can turn into a crapshoot.

Besides, things could’ve been a lot worse. The Jets weren’t the only team contacting the Colts on a trade.

Colts GM Chris Ballard provided some key behind-the-scenes details on how this deal was consummated. While the Jets had the tactical advantage with the sixth overall draft choice, other teams had more attractive packages waiting, like the Buffalo Bills for instance.

The Bills have been on the Jets’ heels for weeks now. This team inched all the way up to No. 12 last week. The Jets couldn’t keep playing games. If they were going to move up they had to do it sooner rather than later.

And if we’re going to be honest, all of us have procrastinated before. Pressure and deadlines make people do funky things. If the Jets would’ve waited this thing out until draft day, the price point could’ve exponentially increased with all the interest from other teams.

Does anyone else remember the last time we saw a trade like this? The Jets actually got off easy when you look at history. That wouldn’t have been the case if this team waited any longer. Keeping the 2019 first round pick was a godsend for this Jets squad.

By trading up to the No. 3 pick, the Jets have guaranteed themselves one of the top-three quarterbacks. The only guessing that’s left to be done is what quarterbacks will be left on the board. The consensus No. 1 pick from people that I’ve talked too is Sam Darnold.

Which leaves the New York Giants to decide what to do with the pivotal No. 2 choice. Honestly Big Blue owes the Jets a huge thank you. With this move up by Gang Green, real estate prices at 1 Giants Drive just shot through the roof. If this team is serious about riding the Eli Manning wave for a few more years, they’re going to have plenty of offers to trade out.

Perhaps even one from the Jets.

People call me Boy Green for my unwavering dedication to all things New York Jets. I work at The Score 1260 in Syracuse and I'm extremely passionate about sports. I aspire to continue my rise through the business and hopefully I'll end up working for the New York Jets in some capacity.