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Why did the Jets trade a 2017 fourth round pick to acquire a 2016 fifth round pick to draft offensive tackle Brandon Shell?
“We always monitor the draft for guys that we like from a value standpoint for where have them rated and we’re constantly looking to move up and move back,” Mike Macagnan said. “As the draft unfolded, the player slid in the draft to a point where we felt it would be worth investing and trading a (2017) fourth-round pick to get the player we liked in the fifth round. We took the player now from an investment standpoint and gave up a fourth-round pick going forward.
“Some of that also had to do with the fact that we had compensatory picks that we’re projechave next year after what happened in free agency. We’ll still potentially have a fourth-round pick next year that’s a compensatory pick. We just used it a little bit earlier this year. We didn’t actually trade the compensatory pick. We traded our actual draft pick we have in the fourth round next year.”
This makes a ton of sense.
The Jets had a fourth round grade on Shell. They needed a young developmental right tackle to eventually replace Breno Giacomini (Brett Qvale is also another candidate), so they Jets gave up a fourth round pick next year to get a player they viewed as a fourth rounder this year, but they got him in the fifth round.
And this way, they have him in the building, and offensive line coach Steve Marshall can start working with him now, and not a year from now.
Let’s say Giacomini is gone after the year, wouldn’t you rather have trained his replacement this year, then perhaps picking him next year, and having to train him from scratch in 2017?
It’s a terrific plan. And the Jets do view Shell as a potential starter.
“We really liked the player,” Maccagnan said. “We thought the player has a lot of ability and potential. We thought from a value standpoint where we took him was very good. He’s a big, long athletic offensive tackle who has the chance to potentially develop into a good backup, possibly a starter in time. He probably needs some work. We’re excited about where we took him and felt the investment for making the trade was well worthwhile.
“I think he has enough skills to potentially be a starting caliber right tackle and possibly a left tackle in time. As he continues to grow and develop, was a kid that we were quite excited about getting.”
And honestly, they really didn’t give up much, because as Maccagnan pointed out, they know they are getting a fourth round compensatory pick, perhaps more than one, after losing Chris Ivory, Damon Harrison and DeMario Davis in free agency.
So they know they are getting a fourth round pick (or two or three) added next off-season, so they will still be in that round, even with this trade.
Good, sound football decision that is hard to argue with.
Shell needs to get stronger to be a starting NFL right tackle. He also needs to work on lowering his pad level and recognizing stunts and blitzes better. He will have a red-shirt year in 2016 to make all this happen, and should be ready to start in 2017.
May 4, 2016
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