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Joe doesn’t roll that way . . .
Look, I’m not putting Joe Douglas in Canton as a GM at this point, considering the results in the last couple of years.
But two things he deserves praise for:
A keen eye for talent in the draft.
And secondly, and what the reference to “Joe doesn’t roll that way” refers to, is how he isn’t going to give players away in trades.
You saw that with the Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold trades, and even with Chris Herndon being traded last summer.
He got a fourth-round pick from Minnesota from Herndon, which was pretty darn good value in that deal.
Talking about good value, how about getting two first-round picks from Seattle for a box safety, Jamal Adams.
And how about a second-round pick included in the trade with Carolina for Sam Darnold? This was after Darnold was the lowest-rated passer in the NFL his first three years with the Jets.
It’s still hard to believe David Tepper gave up a second-round pick in the package for Darnold.
So this brings us to Denzel Mims.
Yes, the Jets are willing to wish Mims his wish and trade him, but that doesn’t they will give him away.
Douglas isn’t going to do what the Atlanta Falcons did with Matt Ryan, delivering a high-level starting player to Indianapolis, for just a third-round pick.
They claimed they owed it to Ryan to trade him after they looked into trading for DeSean Watson. First off all, they could have made it up to Ryan with a new contract. But that notwithstanding, it was almost like they rushed into a bad deal because they owed it to Ryan after dipping their toes in the water on Watson.
The point here is simple, perhaps it’s the right thing to do trading Mims, but that doesn’t mean you give him away.
Connor Hughes announced that the Jets are looking to get a fourth-round pick for Mims, and no team was willing to give that up.
I actually think they should get a two or three. We are talking about a wide receiver, with an exotic size-speed ratio, who is healthy, just 24, and had a really good training camp and preseason this year.
So if Douglas is looking for a four, that is actually reasonable, and he should not back off that.
And his history says he won’t.
Douglas doesn’t cave to players and agents.
He’s a good poker player and has a lot of resolve.
Just because you told Mims and his agent you are willing to trade him, it doesn’t have to be on their timetable.
Just like the Los Angeles Chargers didn’t need to pay injury-laden safety Derwin James, after three years of his rookie contract. Very talented player, but has had injury issues, and you have him locked up contractually for the next two years (and in the sixth year if you tag him). Douglas was willing to pay Adams after the fourth year, not the third. The Chargers caved due to a player “hold-in” where you don’t practice in camp until you get a new deal.
Douglas doesn’t cave.
September 1, 2022
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