The New York Jets have a logjam of talent on the defensive line. Sheldon Richardson, 25, missed five games last year due to injury, but could enjoy a true breakout campaign this year if healthy. Leonard Williams, last year's first-round pick, delivered on all that promise and potential scouts raved about before the draft. Muhammad Wilkerson, 26, was his usual wrecking ball self with 12.0 sacks.
But with Wilkerson franchise tagged this offseason and a long-term deal looking less and less realistic, New York may be willing to send him packing if the right deal came along.
A recent report stated that "word from the Florida pro day is the Jets are shopping Wilkerson," but added a caveat that "whether the team can get a deal done anytime soon is another thing altogether."
Though trade talks may not be heating up like the Jets had hoped, this is the first we've learned that New York is willing to part ways with the talented pass-rusher.
However, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that putting together a Wilkerson deal is more challenging than it sounds. The New England Patriots traded pass-rusher Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals last week for a second-round pick and disappointing 2013 first-rounder Jonathan Cooper. But Jones is under contract for one more season, giving the Cardinals more time to work out an extension. With Wilkerson headed right back to free agency next year, teams may not be willing to relinquish valuable assets for a one-season rental.
Instead, interested parties would have to come to an agreement with Wilkerson on an extension before consummating the trade. But given the going rate for talented sack artists these days, any such deal would be a monstrous investment.
Another factor that may be suppressing Wilkerson's market is the considerable amount of defensive line talent in this year's draft. It's understandable why teams would rather invest an early pick into a younger, less expensive option that they then would have in house for four or five years.
Though there are considerable obstacles standing in the way, a Wilkerson trade appears to be New York's preferred course of action right now. If true, it means the two sides aren't anywhere close to an agreement on a long-term deal and New York is looking for more in return than a 2018 compensatory pick should Wilkerson walk in free agency next year.
