With training camp around the corner, there are some players the New York Jets could look to target in the trade market
Football is right around the corner in what feels like the blink of an eye.
Teams will be reporting to training camp in a few weeks. Rookies and veterans will be battling to make rosters, and the complete picture of the NFL landscape will become a bit clearer.
One of the most significant aspects of these coming weeks and months will be the trade market. At this point of the year, trades can be used to help fill back-of-the-roster needs or find a diamond in the rough. In some instances, trades are used to flip disgruntled stars to a new team.
While they own one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, the New York Jets still need to address some depth spots and possibly add competition to other areas on their roster. Looking around the NFL, there are some holes New York could address via the trade market instead of dipping into free agency. They may not find the next superstar in Gotham, but these additions could help solidify the Jets’ standing in their division and the entire AFC.
Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
Sutton, a heavily rumored target for the Jets in the offseason, would strengthen the depth of New York’s wide receiver corps.
Sutton is an excellent contested-catch threat, ranking top-13 among wide receivers in contested catches in each of the past two seasons. As illustrated by his career ADOT (average depth of target) of 13.9 yards, Sutton is a useful downfield threat. Additionally, all his touchdowns in 2023 came on plays of 10 yards or more, with four being 20 yards or more.
Adding Sutton would require some cap maneuvering for the present year, likely by adding void years to make Sutton’s cap hit more manageable.
However, while it would require assets and cap work from general manager Joe Douglas to pull off, it would be well worth it. Sutton has the ability to move inside and outside, which would give the Jets a variety of ways to use him. It would also prevent defenses from double-covering or heavily focusing any of the team’s weapons, giving the likes of Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson even more room to thrive.
Sutton is one of the most underrated wideouts in football. He may not be traded, but if the wideout becomes available, the Jets would immediately raise their offensive floor by adding him.
Jon Feliciano, Offensive Guard, San Francisco 49ers
With their tackle depth taken care of, the Jets can now focus on shoring up their interior depth. Fortunately, a trade partner may exist in head coach Robert Saleh’s old stomping grounds.
Heading into his second year with the 49ers, guard Jon Feliciano is competing with newly drafted guard Dominick Puni. Sporting a cap hit of $2.28 million, the veteran guard is very movable if he loses out in a competition with the rookie or other offensive linemen on the roster.
Feliciano arguably had one of his best seasons in 2023, posting productive pass-blocking statistics. He allowed zero sacks and 15 pressures in 257 pass-blocking opportunities. Feliciano was better in the running game, having an elite 87.0 PFF run-blocking grade in Kyle Shanahan’s system.
For the Jets, Feliciano would be great insurance at a minimum and possibly a productive starter in a best-case scenario. He has experience playing both guard spots and center, which would bring versatility to a unit plagued with injuries in recent seasons. The current 49er would also bring a productive veteran presence to a locker room needing a steady 2024 season.
There is a chance that Felicano will stick in San Francisco and enjoy another productive year. However, the Jets should keep tabs on the veteran throughout the preseason and training camp.
Quinton Jefferson, Defensive Tackle, Cleveland Browns
Adding old friends has been a common theme in this Jets era, and this move would continue the trend.
Departing New York this offseason, Quinton Jefferson landed in Cleveland with a one-year, $4 million deal. The Jets filled his shoes by adding the likes of Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu.
Even with a new deal, Jefferson still faces steep competition on his new team. The Browns have one of the most loaded defensive lines in the NFL, especially on the interior. The team has Shelby Harris and Dalvin Tomlinson as the projected starters while also drafting Michael Hall Jr. in the second round. They also have Maurice Hurst (who played 39% of Browns’ defensive snaps last year) and Siaki Ika (a 2023 third-round pick) as depth pieces.
If Jefferson slips down the depth chart, a reunion with the Jets makes sense. New York can still improve its interior defensive line. Jefferson only has a cap hit of $1.98 million, and he is familiar with producing in Saleh’s scheme.
He may have departed in the offseason, but if Jefferson falls out of favor in Cleveland, it may not be time to say goodbye to him in New York just yet.
