The New York Jets have done the heavy lifting to upgrade their 2022 roster. But a few tweaks are still possible ahead of training camp. For that reason, we take a look at three potential trade targets for the Jets to round out the team.
They have restructured the secondary, with safety Jordan Whitehead and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. They added three tight ends (C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Conklin, and Jeremy Ruckert) to a position that was completely devoid of talent for years.
They selected Garrett Wilson with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft after failing to trade for one of the available star wide receivers like Tyreek Hill. Guard Laken Tomlinson was signed to bolster an improving offensive line. Breece Hall was drafted in the second round to form a 1-2 punch with Michael Carter at running back.
And Jermaine Johnson, Micheal Clemons, and Solomon Thomas were brought in to improve the pass rush, an area that will also be upgraded with the healthy returns of Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry.
While it’s more likely general manager Joe Douglas looks to sign players who’ve recently been cut to fill the remaining holes on the roster — think Morgan Moses last June – it's possible the Jets could swing a trade, as well.
With that said, here are three potential trade targets for the Jets to complete their 2022 roster.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Jets Trade Targets To Complete 2022 Roster
3. Daron Payne – DT, Washington Commanders
The Jets have done an excellent job beefing up their depth on the edge and at defensive end but did not replace Foley Fatukasi at defensive tackle. Fatukasi, the Jets' top run-stuffer last season, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Payne would be an outstanding replacement and likely upgrade to play alongside Quinnen Williams. He is a massive presence (6-foot-3, 320 pounds) on the interior of the line.
Last season Payne set NFL career highs with 61 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. The 25-year-old is durable, having started all 33 games the past two seasons and all 16 as a rookie in 2018. A first-round pick (No. 13) out of Alabama in the 2018 NFL Draft, Payne denied reports that he skipped team drills during OTAs last week because Washington is not negotiating a contract extension with him.
The Commanders might be willing to trade Payne since his rookie deal is up at the end of the season and he could become a free agent. If Payne is not seen as part of the future in Washington, then the Jets should be at the front of the line to see what the cost would be to acquire him and fill a big hole on their line. Of course, if Payne would be — ahem — a pain about a new contract after a trade, Douglas would likely take a pass.
Daron Payne's name is often mentioned in trade rumors, but he has far more value to WFT on the field than on the trade market. In 2021 Payne led all interior DLs in defensive stops while finishing in the top 12 in total pressures & PFF pass rush grade. #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/F8AwBYpwQu
— Nathan Coleman (@CommandersStats) January 20, 2022
2. Zack Baun – LB, New Orleans Saints
Baun has not found his footing since being selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and his name has popped up frequently in trade rumors. He played 17 percent of the defensive snaps for the Saints last season despite being active for all 17 games and starting four. Yet Braun has shown to be a good tackler and solid against the run in limited action. And he’s been a consistent contributor on special teams.
The Jets are thin at linebacker after C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams, so why not take a flyer on Baun? The cost should be minimal, both in terms of assets (lower-round draft pick) and contract (still on a rookie deal). At worst, the Jets would get a special teams dynamo. At best, they’d have a developing young linebacker who could be an upgrade over converted safeties Hamsah Nasirildeen and Jamien Sherwood.
The hits in this game have been insane. Zack Baun demolishes Jerick McKinnon on the kick return here. #Saints pic.twitter.com/SfXDxyP7JM
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) November 15, 2020
1. Terrell Burgess – S, Los Angeles Rams
The Jets believe they have two solid veteran starters at safety with Whitehead and Lamarcus Joyner. However, Joyner is 31 and missed all but one game last season with an elbow injury. Ashtyn Davis, the third-year pro who’s played 23 games and started 16 in the NFL, is next man up. He was exposed in both the passing and run games his first two seasons. But there’s not much behind Davis, so the Jets could have interest in Burgess for depth.
Burgess is a project, though, because he’s seen so little playing time with the Rams. A third-round pick out of Utah in 2020, Burgess is stuck behind Taylor Rapp, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Juju Hughes, and possibly rookie Quentin Lake in L.A. Last season he played only 8 percent of the defensive snaps for a Rams team that went on to win the Super Bowl. Burgess has his supporters who believe he just needs a new opportunity. That could make for a good and cost-effective match in New York.
Champs 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rIgRC1DQ8F
— Terrell Burgess (@TiTaniumT98) February 14, 2022