Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NBC’s Pro Football Talk recently reported that New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez could be a part of a trade to help send Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then, the Buccaneers officials have refuted the rumor to USA Today insisting there is no interest in the Jets quarterback — especially with his $8.25 million salary for 2013.
The rumor, regardless of Sanchez staying or leaving, increases the possibility of New York trading up in an attempt to attain West Virginia standout Geno Smith. According to ESPN, the Jets staff “came away very impressed” by Smith’s Mar. 14 Pro Day performance. Furthermore, Ian Rappaport reported they held private workouts for Smith on Apr. 10-11.
Later in March after Smith’s Pro Day impression, Rex Ryan went on record saying, “I don’t think there’s a clear-cut favorite in my opinion. I just think it’s going to be competition from day one, and obviously Sanchez will take the first snap and things, but that’s all you can say,” he insisted on ESPN Radio.
Unless New York truly believes that 35-year-old David Garrard and second-year player Greg McElroy can lead this team, I see a quarterback being drafted. Sitting at No. 9, it seems unlikely Smith falls that far to them.
How I see it is that there is no way Smith falls past eighth with the Buffalo Bills. Many mock drafts see Smith going No. 2 to the Jacksonville Jaguars or even third to the Oakland Raiders. The Cleveland Browns are also showing interest with the sixth overall selection, who additionally held a private workout for Smith on Apr. 11. Plus, the Philadelphia Eagles met with the first-round prospect earlier this month.
How much value the Jets interest holds will dictate where they attempt to trade to. In all likelihood, the favorites to land Smith are the Jaguars at two and the Bills at eight. If Smith falls past second, watch for New York to trade to any of the seven before Buffalo.
The most likely trade outlet seems to be the Raiders right now. They only have one draft pick through the first 65 selections, so their first, second round and perhaps a 2014 draft pick, should do the job.
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