A few thoughts on the New York Jets trade of Sheldon Richardson. Follow on Twitter for more real time analysis…

1 – The Jets have been mismanaging their defensive end position for a few years now but Mike Maccagnan deserves credit for getting more than most expected for a player he had to trade. A second round pick on its own would have been more than enough for a team desperately in need of draft capital, especially in the early rounds. Kearse is a low cost throw in who can immediately start and be a competent player. He was good enough to start on one of the best teams in the NFL the past few years and will bring a needed degree of experience to an incredibly young and raw receiver room.

2 – Why was Sheldon a player the Jets needed to trade? The Jets were going to lose him this offseason for absolutely nothing. There was no compensatory pick coming because they are going to spend too much of their own money in free agency. They were not going to spend 90 million dollars on a long term contract for him with Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson already on the roster, especially with his off the field issues. Since 2014, Richardson has been suspended by the league twice, the team once, been trending for a Snapchat video, a fight with Brandon Marshall and racked up 8 penalties compared to only 6.5 sacks.

There is no doubt Richardson is a good player, who will be productive in Seattle. There is also no doubt the Jets need to spread resources around their roster away from defensive end. This move was a no brainer and unless you were receiving anonymous quotes from Richardson or people around him, it is a difficult transaction to criticize.

3 – It is unlikely because there will be a limited market for them but if the Jets can find any takers for Matt Forte, Buster Skrine or Marcus Williams, they should be traded. The more picks, the better. Even if the Jets need to pay a portion of Forte’s contract, it is logical to get him off the roster. Let Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire handle the running back duties. Right now the Jets have nine picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, with three in the first two rounds.

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