The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jets trade up for No. 3 pick with eye on franchise QB
Swap gives Colts No. 6 spot, three second-rounders.
The New York Jets shook up the NFL draft Saturday by soaring three spots to No. 3 overall in a stunning swap with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Jets acquired the third pick in a strong sign they intend to get one of the top quarterbacks available. They sent the Colts their first-rounder — No. 6 overall — along with two second-rounders this year and a second-rounder next year to complete the massive deal.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said the teams had been discussing a potential trade since early in the week.
“They had an interest to move up to (No.) 3 and kind of went back and forth for the last four or five days,” Ballard said in a video posted on the Colts’ website. “Talked to a couple other teams, but we still wanted to stay in position in that top 10 where we could still get a premium player. We feel like at (No.) 6, we’ll still be able to get a premium player.”
After losing out to Minnesota in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes at the start of free agency, New York re-signed veteran Josh McCown and agreed to terms with Teddy Bridgewater, both on one-year deals.
But it was believed the Jets would still focus on finding a quarterback of the future with their first-round pick in next month’s draft.
By moving up to No. 3, New York assures itself of getting one of the top-rated quarterbacks available. USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield are all considered potential top-five selections.
General manager Mike Maccagnan has been zeroing in on the QBs up close, attending the pro days of Mayfield and Rosen. He also plans to attend the pro days for Darnold and Allen.
For the Colts, they now have nine picks overall and appear to be in a rebuilding phase after going 4-12 and missing the playoffs for the third straight year. Getting extra picks from the Jets will surely help, giving Indianapolis four selections in the top 50 in this year’s draft.
On Saturday, the Colts released defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins, who signed a three-year deal worth $27 million in free agency last season. He made 15 starts and finished with 44 tackles and two sacks.
Patriots: Bolstered their pass rush and backfield depth with the free agent signings of defensive end Adrian Clayborn and running back Jeremy Hill. The Patriots also announced the signing of veteran offensive tackle Matt Tobin.
Clayborn, 29, played the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and is coming off a career-high 9½-sack season in 2017. The seven-year veteran has 30 sacks over 81 games with Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
Lions: Added depth in the backfield, signing LeGarrette Blount and re-signing Zach Zenner to compete with Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick for carries this year.
Blount, an unrestricted free agent, ran for a teamhigh 766 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season last year in Philadelphia.
Cardinals: Signed freeagent offensive lineman Justin Pugh to a five-year contract. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound Pugh — who has plays guard or tackle — spent the past five seasons with the Giants, where he started 63 games.
Raiders: Signed free-agent linebacker Kyle Wilber, who played 89 games in six seasons with Dallas, recording 104 tackles, 3½ sacks, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Retirement: Versatile running back Danny Woodhead announced his retirement after NFL 10 seasons.