I have family that owns a business in NJ. Someone who works for the Jets is a customer.
The feedback I heard today from this person is that Darnold was plan B and not in any way a “gift”. They went to 3 feeling that they could get their guy at that spot.
Obviously the Jets wanted Mayfield, the Browns blew up their plan. Darnold was not exactly the pleasant surprise people think.
I have no idea if this has been reported elsewhere or common knowledge at this point, but I hadn’t heard it.
I admit I wanted him, but between him and Barkley, I was much more confident in Barkley having a bigger impact.
The fans and media are going to tear him apart.
It’s likely that darnold will be working with his second pro staff in as many years. Not a good way to start a career.
That led me to believe the Jets wanted Mayfield. He HAD to be there at 3. QB controversy in Cleveland with Mayfield going 1? No. Gettleman a 'size' guy. No. I also believed (assumed) Mayfield would be there at 3. Me and everyone else, up until the day before the Mayfield to Browns rumor broke. I also didn't think anyone near the top would take a chance on Rosen, with his injury history.
I figured the Browns would take Darnold and we would take Barkley (outside chance of Chubb) but no QB. Rosen is made of glass (following an Ironman, um...no) and I agree with Aikman's assessment that the type of inaccuracy Allen showed is hard to 'coach up'. So I never for a moment thought the Giants would take a QB.
Then I got scared when Mayfield was picked. I didn't want Darnold nor did I want them to trade out. But when they announced how fast the Giants turned the card in, I was convinced it was Barkley.
Had the Jets waited for draft day to make the trade:
1:Mayfield (Jets, wow, glad we waited and figured the way players might/would fall in case Mayfield goes first)
2:Barkley
3:Nelson
4:Ward (more on this later)
5:Chubb. Someone offered Gettleman to move up but it was not for a QB because he was offered a hot dog etc. Possible it was Denver in pursuit of Chubb.
6: Darnold
The wildcard was the Browns picking Ward. Didn't see that coming and I would think the Jets wouldn't either but HAVE to make the call anyway because Denver would be the team that might take Darnold. This is making the same assumption we all made, that Chubb would go to the Browns. Since the Browns wanted Ward, they would have dealt it in a heartbeat. He'd be there at 6 because no way Denver passes on Chubb. That would have meant 2 2nd rounders but not next years. Maybe even less, although Dorsey could have feigned "we really want Chubb and now Denver is going to take him". So two 2nd rounders it is.
Would the Bills have moved up for Darnold at pick 4? I doubt it. They wanted Allen and had it figured it right for them to be comfortable with what they gave up. They also have a plan A in effect with AJ. So they didn't have to force anything.
So everyone ends up with the same players but the Colts don't get all that depth. They REALLY needed Nelson and I believe they would have taken him at 3, regardless of who was on the board. I also think since it was obvious he would be there at 6, that the Jets might not have had to give up as much, in the heat of the moment. So the Jets could have said "We'll call the Browns", to keep next year's pick. Colts would have taken this years 2nd rounders and left next years off the table. You can play hardball in March but with only 5 minutes to work with, knowing you'll get your guy anyway, the Jets would have been at least on an even playing field.
Maybe the Browns say no and pick Ward but they can't be that stupid. They had to know he would be there at 6. No way anyone thought they would pass on Chubb, so the Jets would have been surprised at the trade. The Browns wouldn't have to answer all the Chubb questions.
The Jets trade forced the Browns to take Mayfield first, if and a big IF they wanted Barkley. But I think Dorsey has been around the block and you take the guy you love first and worry about the rest later. So the Jets trading up just made it easier for them to plan it all out. I think the Browns should have called Elway and told him we are 50-50 on two guys and Chubb fits your system, so how about a 4th round pick? Maybe they tried.
The Jets lose next years 2nd rounder. The Colts gain 3 2nd rounders. The Browns lose two 2nd rounders, which is ironic. All because the Jets assumed and jumped the gun.
Had the Browns said No to the Jets and then picked Ward, then who knows what Elway does. He's a hero in the locker room with Chubb and Keenum not looking over his shoulder, so I think he still picks Chubb. So the Jets could have really won out but I think Dorsey and Maccagnan would have swapped 4 and 6, much to everyone's surprise.
They made the trade with IND for the sole purpose of drafting a QB - they literally had no choice. I think if we took Darnold, they would have taken Allen or Rosen.
The Jets could not possibly have made that deal and then turned around and taken a RB or DE. The entire reason they moved up was to guarantee themselves one of these QB's.
I don't doubt for a second that Darnold wasn't their first choice
I don't think there was enough chatter about the Giants loving a QB to the point where the Jets would believe the Giiants would take one over Barkley. Doubt that was even a thought