USAT: Jets Wire audio clip

USAT: Jets Wire

Mar 10, 2022

The phone of Seahawks GM John Schneider is about to ring off the hook. - After Seattle traded franchise QB Russell Wilson to the Broncos for a combination of draft picks and young players, the team also cut veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner. Both moves signaled a full-scale rebuild for the Seahawks, one which could include the movement of other high-profile players. - Jets GM Joe Douglas should be among those calling Schneider, and one of his first inquires should be about WR DK Metcalf. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently told 97.5 The Fanatic he doesn’t believe Metcalf or fellow WR Tyler Lockett are available, but that won’t stop teams from asking. - Metcalf would immediately transform the Jets offense as a vertical outside receiving threat with breakaway speed. He doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional wideout in Mike LaFleur’s offense, but that doesn’t mean Metcalf’s skills wouldn’t be welcomed. At 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Metcalf would be a matchup nightmare for opposing cornerbacks and open up the middle of the field for Corey Davis and Elijah Moore. Metcalf has tallied 216 receptions, 3,170 yards and 29 touchdowns since 2019, which ranks 19th, 11th and third in the league over that span, respectively. - The closest example to Metcalf in a similar offense would be Julio Jones in Kyle Shanahan’s Falcons offense from 2015-2016. Jones caught 219 receptions for 3,280 yards and 14 touchdowns during those two years. LaFleur was an assistant under Shanahan. Jones had Matt Ryan playing at an MVP level as his quarterback, whereas Metcalf would have sophomore Zach Wilson. - If Metcalf becomes available, he would have a plethora of suitors, which would raise the cost. The Jets’ 10th overall pick is an enticing asset to dangle in front of Seattle – even if it’s originally the Seahawks’ own pick – but perhaps Douglas could get away with offering a few picks in the second or third rounds and his 2023 first-rounder. - The cost to acquire Metcalf wouldn’t be the biggest issue with any theoretical trade, though. Rather, it’s his impending contract extension. - Metcalf doesn’t have a fifth-year option because he was a second-round pick, so he’ll become a free agent after the 2022 season. That means any team that trades for him would likely do so with the intention of signing him to a long-term contract before the 2023 season. Considering Metcalf’s production and durability – he’s never missed a game – he could command a sizable deal. - But a number of veteran receivers don’t make it to free agency after being franchise-tagged or extended, and rookies typically take two or three years to fully develop. If Douglas wants to aggressively rebuild the Jets and contend as early as this season, trading for someone like Metcalf needs to be on the table when such players are available. - - List - - 8 wide receivers the Jets should avoid in free agency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Jets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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