The New York Jets made the biggest move of their legal tampering period on Wednesday, trading for Baltimore Ravens right tackle Morgan Moses.
Moses, who spent the 2021 season with New York, is a significant upgrade over the team’s vacant right tackle spot and leaves just a single open spot – left tackle – open in the starting lineup.
Each move general manager Joe Douglas makes will grant the Jets extra flexibility, but acquiring Moses this early in the offseason for the price of a Day 3 pick swap is both encouraging and important.
Between left tackle and receiver, New York has two prioritized needs left to address this offseason. How did the Moses deal affect that plan?
While it is unlikely the Jets would have completely struck out on the tackle market without this trade, knowing that at least one tackle spot is locked down decreases the chance they take one with the No. 10 pick.
Former Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari is available, and given his connection to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, feels more likely than any other free agent. But until he’s in the building, New York should continue to see tackles mocked to them in the first round.
Even a Bakhtiari signing wouldn’t erase tackle from Douglas’ draft board. While Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be long gone, there’s no guarantee one of LSU’s Malik Nabers or Washington’s Rome Odunze will be there at 10. The Jets, in all likelihood, will have the opportunity to take a tackle they won’t need to start on Day 1.
The team may select a tackle that acts as depth during his rookie campaign and takes over when Moses (on an expiring deal) or a hypothetical veteran left tackle leaves town. This class has no shortage of options. But what will be more telling of their plans at No. 10 is the type of move they make at receiver.
There’s currently a stark drop-off with this season’s crop of offseason targets, both in free agency and on the trade block. Established veterans like Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins, Denver Broncos red-zone threat Courtland Sutton, or former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley are all attainable for the right price. After that, the crop tries up quickly, and New York could be competing for the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and former New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas.
The Jets needing two starting-caliber receivers also impacts the calculus here, but a big-time investment along the boundary likely takes them out of the running for an early-round receiver.
Moses takes the pressure off of Douglas to take a tackle in this year’s NFL Draft, but if he can land a big-name receiver, don’t be surprised if he goes back to the well up front – regardless of how much playing time they’d see in 2024.
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