Who could be on the Jets radar as the NFL trade deadline approaches?
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
When it comes to the 4-3 Jets, they have several holes the team needs to fill.
Among them is on the offensive line. Injuries have crushed the Jets through the first seven games.
During the overtime win against the Giants on Sunday, the Jets lost both center Conner McGovern (knee) and guard Wes Schweitzer (calf) to injury. Backup center and right guard Joe Tippmann is also still recovering from a quad injury he suffered in the victory against the Eagles on Oct. 15.
The only consistent on the offensive line this season has been left guard Laken Tomlinson. 10 different players have taken snaps on the Jets offensive line and there are 10 games left in the season. That includes Alijah Vera-Tucker, who tore his Achilles on Oct. 8 against the Broncos.
Jets defensive tackle Al Woods also suffered a torn Achilles and will be out for the rest of the season. So Gang Green could look to add another defensive lineman, although they could elevate Tanzel Smart from the practice squad.
Quarterback and wide receiver could also be targets for the Jets before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Here are a few players who could be on the team’s radar.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill
Zach Wilson has looked like a much-improved quarterback during the last month. During his last four games (3-1), Wilson has thrown for 870 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also has completed 61.9% of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 85.1.
While the Jets are committed to Wilson, they certainly could use an insurance policy, considering all the injuries they’ve had. Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian are the only other quarterbacks on the Jets rosters. That’s where Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill comes in.
On Sunday, Will Levis, who replaced Tannehill due to injury, completed 19 of 29 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns in Tennessee’s 28-23 win against the Falcons. Throughout the season, Tannehill has continued to hear his name throughout trade circles. With Levis’ emergence, the Titans could move on from Tannehill, who is in the final year of the four-year, $118 million deal he signed with the Titans in 2020.
The only problem with potentially adding Tannehill is his hefty contract. According to Over the Cap, the Jets currently have $7.1 million in team cap space.
Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton
If the Jets don’t want to go the Tannehill route, Andy Dalton also makes a lot of sense and his contract is a lot more reasonable. Last offseason, Dalton signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Panthers to be Bryce Young’s backup.
Dalton started one game for the Panthers this season after Young suffered an ankle injury. He passed for 361 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-27 loss against the Seahawks.
Vikings guard Ezra Cleveland
Even when Tippmann returns, he likely becomes the Jets starting center, with McGovern expected to miss significant time. That leaves the Jets with a hole at right guard.
With the Vikings at 4-4 and without Kurt Cousins (Achilles) for the rest of the season, Ezra Cleveland could be on the move and would be a solid addition to the Jets.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cleveland was the sixth-best run-blocking guard last season (73.5). He has played 372 snaps and has allowed one sack in six games. PFF has given Cleveland a 73.8 grade during that span.
Bears guard Cody Whitehead
Cody Whitehead is another player who could be an upgrade for the Jets at right guard. He’s a veteran who’s in his seventh season in the NFL and has allowed three sacks in 489 snaps this season. However, Whitehead has a 45.4 grade, according to PFF.
Also, Whitehead has a rather large contract and he is scheduled to make $10.1 million in the final year of his contract in 2024. Because of that, the Bears could make him available for a Day 3 pick in either the 2024 or 2025 NFL Draft.
