A draft night trade between the Patriots and the Steelers ultimately didn’t disrupt the Jets’ plans at all.
When the deal closed on April 27, Bill Belichick once again appeared to have pulled off a deal that not only helped the Patriots, but more importantly, ruined the Jets.
New England moved back from 14th to 17th in a trade with the Steelers, and Pittsburgh named Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones, who was seen as a potential target for the Jets and their offensive line. .
but, Video released by the Jets on FridayGeneral manager Joe Douglas, who took viewers backstage ahead of the first-round pick, didn’t even have Jones as the Jets’ top target — it was Will McDonald, whom they ultimately picked. – and he correctly predicted the Patriots would get the trade, with the Steelers partnering and Pittsburgh ultimately picking Jones.
“Somebody’s going to trade Broderick Jones to New England in front of us,” Douglas said in the video, predicting that team would be Pittsburgh.
The offensive line has emerged as a position the Jets need to strengthen after an offseason trade for Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
They ended up picking Wisconsin center Joe Tippman in the second round and Pittsburgh offensive lineman Carter Warren in the fourth round, but the Patriots and Steelers have first-round picks. , and Pittsburgh gave up a 2023 fourth-round pick, all circulating. Let’s go back to the impact on the Jets.
“Bill will try to screw them up at any chance,” an NFL personnel executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post. “He knew exactly what he was doing.”
After the trade, Douglas and the Jets waited for Pittsburgh to submit a pick. That would put the Jets in 15th place.
Earlier in the video, the Draftroom Group listed McDonald, Notre Dame tight end, Michael Mayer and Jones as the top three players on their list.
And in the end, Iowa State’s car-jumping linebacker was still available when Douglas had to make a choice.
“Call Wilbert,” said Mr. Douglas, referring to Mr. McDonald, a fourth-generation member of the same name, by his full name.
The Jets seem to have gotten exactly the talent they wanted after Belichick’s move.
“With Aaron [Rodgers] Here, hopefully, we can play with a little more lead and have players who can close the door on some offenses and reach quarterbacks,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. said after one round. “He has a unique ability to catch corners and has great length to launch the ball. He’s going to be something special.”
