From the moment he was hired following the 2019 off-season, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas has been planning for the 2021 off-season. Recognizing the lack of talent from top to bottom on the roster, Douglas has been laying the foundation to rebuild this team from the ground up. At 0-7 with a winless season not out of the realm of possibility, Douglas has already gotten a head start. The team has already cut running back Le’Veon Bell, and recently traded beloved nose tackle, Steve McLendon. The bottom line – nobody is safe.
As it stands right now, the Jets will have the second-most cap space this off-season, only trailing the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the current state of the roster, nobody is surprised by the notion the Jets are heading for a “fire sale” at the deadline to clear cap and acquire draft capital. With numerous players on team-friendly deals, here is who could be moved by November 3.
New York Jets Trade Deadline Preview
Tight End Chris Herndon
Entering this season, the idea of trading Chris Herndon away would immediately be shut down. Finally healthy after battling injuries and a suspension in 2019, even head coach Adam Gase was excited to see Herndon back in the lineup. Except things have not gone as planned. Instead, Herndon has been one of the team’s biggest disappointments in 2020.
While he has stayed healthy this season, Herndon has not fared well in his seven games. Herndon has caught 13 receptions, only for 98 yards, and is without a touchdown. The most interesting part though his performance has been his usage. His snap count remains at 65 percent, just three percent higher than as a rookie. But the way he has been used has been very different under Gase compared to as a rookie under Todd Bowles. Currently, Herndon averages 2.5 yards before reception, when his rookie year in 2018 he averaged 8.3 yards.
Simply put, that is not what the team envisioned for the third-year tight end. While the Jets could hold out for another year, potentially with another coach who could use Herndon correctly, Douglas may be ready to move on, and allow Herndon to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Defensive Tackle Quinnen Williams
When it comes to the 2019 third overall pick, the verdict is still far from out on where his career stands. Yes, his rookie season may not have been what many anticipated it to be, but Quinnen Williams has made significant strides in year two. Already, he has set career highs in sacks and tackles for loss, while matching his rookie season total in tackles. Through seven games, Williams has been one of the few bright spots for the Jets defense.
Nevertheless, Williams has not been the immediate game-wrecker many expected him to be. While the Jets have been rumored to want a second-round pick and more in return, it has also been reported the Jets have had no legitimate offers. Williams, who will not even be 23-years old until December, remains a young, raw, and very talented lineman the Jets should hold onto. But at the same time, they are heading for a complete makeover, and Williams may not last to see it.
Middle Linebacker Avery Williamson
Moving onto the veterans on expiring contracts part of the preview, let’s begin with Avery Williamson. In his first season with the team in 2018, Williamson finished as a Pro Bowl alternate. In his second season though, Williamson tore his ACL in the first preseason game, causing him to miss the season. Now back healthy, Williamson has started five of six games, with an interception, three deflections, and 50 tackles. Williamson can offer a reliable starting veteran for any team, and as a free agent following the season, he will be a name to watch to be moved.
Cornerback Brian Poole
One of three potential members of the secondary being moved, like Williamson, Brian Poole will also be a hot commodity. In his second season with the Jets, Poole has proven his 2019 season was no fluke. After signing a one-year deal last season, Poole was one of the league’s top slot corners and has been yet again. A pesky defender who already has two picks, six deflections, and 38 tackles on the season, Poole offers a valuable piece to any secondary. As big of a loss Poole would be, he too is on a free agent following this season that Douglas can get great value out of on the market.
Cornerback Pierre Desir
Coming to the Jets this past off-season after a down season, Pierre Desir’s 2020 has had its ups and downs. He has been the team’s top cornerback, totaling three picks, one touchdown, six deflections, and 37 total tackles. However, he has given up multiple big plays and had many bad penalties called against him. He has been below average in coverage this season, but strong against the run. As a veteran who can stay healthy, there will be a market for Desir, although Douglas will not be getting a large return on this one.
Safety Bradley McDougald
Acquired in the Jamal Adams trade, Bradley McDougald has received plenty of praise from the Jets coaching staff off the field. On the field though, McDougald has struggled. Currently graded 84th out of 85 safeties according to PFF, McDougald’s snaps have declined as third-round pick Ashtyn Davis’ have increased. The Jets very easily can turn more towards Davis going forward, leaving McDougald as an option to trade away. McDougald, who has 77 starts since 2015, at the very least offers a top-notch third safety in the modern-day pass-first NFL.
Last Word on the New York Jets Trade Deadline Preview
The New York Jets are heading towards a full-on teardown. One that general manager Joe Douglas has planned for. He is set to gather as much draft capital and clear as much cap space as possible prior to the off-season. Coming to the Jets on a six-year deal, he saw how he had to tear things down for two seasons before taking four to build it back up. Of course, nobody could have foreseen a 0-7 start, and it most likely is not going to get any better. That is until Douglas can work his magic this off-season. But first, it is time for him to make moves at the trade deadline on November 3.
