Alabama running back Trent Richardson might be the top player on the Jets’ draft board, but it is unlikely that the team will trade up to get him on Thursday night.
The Jets are currently picking 16th in the first round and they would need to move up to the third pick in order to guarantee themselves Richardson. Manish Mehta of the Daily News quotes a team official as saying that the price tag for that deal is “ridiculous.” Per Mehta, unless Richardson slips further than expected, the Jets won’t give up the necessary picks to acquire him.
Of course, it’s never safe to assume much when it comes to the Jets. General Manager Mike Tannenbaum has been aggressive on draft day in the past and the Jets have 10 picks, including compensatory selections that can’t be dealt, this year. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jets jump up the board, but a move high enough to get Richardson could be a bridge too far.
The team has plenty of holes that need to be plugged, however, and that won’t happen if they mortgage the bulk of their early picks for one player.