NFL general managers rarely work with an absolute sense of purpose, always giving themselves a back door if circumstances arise unexpectedly.
New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey gave about as honest an answer as you’ll hear when asked if he’ll reach out to his friend, Raiders GM John Spytek, about potentially trading the No. 1 overall pick and the right to quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
“Absolutely, we’ll talk about all those things, but I don’t think it’s happening,” Mougey said with a laugh last week at the NFL Scouting Combine, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini .
Mougey and Spytek worked together as scouts with the Denver Broncos (2013-2015), but even that friendship wouldn’t start a business. Spytek has said it will listen to offers for the No. 1 overall pick. 1, as any good GM would. Given the Jets’ number of picks and the fact that Vegas would move down one spot, if he were to seriously consider the move, Gang Green would be the frontrunner. Mougey’s answer indicates what everyone already knows: Spytek is choosing Mendoza. At the very least, the Jets GM’s response underscores that he wouldn’t pay whatever exorbitant price it would take to get Spytek out of the draft.
The Jets need a long-term solution at quarterback. Unfortunately, the belief before the draft is that there is only one worthy of a top 10 pick: Mendoza. New York’s trade of Jermaine Johnson II last week paints a bright line for the Gang Green by using their No. 2 overall pick on a cornerback, which is now a clear need.