The New York Jets will go as far as new quarterback Justin Fields takes them. Fields inked a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets this offseason to be the new man under center. The Jets are headed into mid-April looking to surround Fields with the best team possible, looking ahead to the NFL Draft.
This year's NFL Draft features a number of intriguing prospects that could find their way to the Jets. Given the signing of Fields and their draft position, it's hard to imagine the Jets take a quarterback in the first round.
It's much more likely the Jets look to add to the offense around Fields, with options such as Tetairoa McMillan or Tyler Warren available. It's also likely the Jets take an offensive lineman to protect Fields - although they may have to trade up to get the man they desire.
At least, that's what Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame proposed would be necessary. On Thursday, Verderame proposed a hypothetical swap in which the Jets would move up from the No. 7 pick, pairing it with picks 110 and 145 in order to slide up into the top-five, securing the No. 5 pick. In doing so, the Jets would land Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou.
"Last year, the Jets took care of left tackle with Olu Fashanu. Now, they take care of the right side," Verderame wrote.
"Moving up two spots with Jacksonville, New York takes the most complete tackle prospect in the draft. Membou is an immediate plug-and-play starter to protect Justin Fields, while the Jaguars pick up a pair of top-150 picks."
Membou - who has a reputation.as a "nasty' player (a good thing) - appears to be the clearcut top tackle prospect in the draft, and pairing him up with Olu Fashanu, who had a standout rookie season, would provide a clean pocket for Fields for years to come.
The 22-year old Membou packs a 6-foot-3, 325-pound frame matched with incredible athleticism. Membou posted the third-highest Pro Football Focus grade (90.4) of any Power 4 offensive tackles.
The Jets could hope to wait that Membou falls to them at No. 7, but it's also entirely possible that the Raiders pose a threat to select him at No. 6, or the Raiders trade down in a similar deal to allow another franchise to pick Membou.
