NFL Rumors: Jets nearly traded with Giants to draft Laremy Tunsil

After seeing the top offensive lineman prospect, Laremy Tunsil, tumble down other team’s draft boards, the New York Jets decided they wanted to try to acquire the lineman. 

Just shortly before the NFL draft started, a video featuring former Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil wearing a gas mask and smoking a substance that appeared to be marijuana.

NFL teams soon found out about the video and avoided him like the plague. But, eventually, some teams around the NFL decided that the risk of drafting Tunsil was worth the potential reward, and according to Gary Meyers of the New York Daily News the New York Jets were one such team.

Unfortunately, the Jets were picking at No. 20, which pushed them out of the likely fall range for Tunsil. However, the perfect trade partner for the Jets was made after the New York Giants top two prospects (Jack Conklin, Leonard Floyd) were taken off of the board by the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears.

As a result, the Jets called up the Giants, who were picking with the tenth overall selection with Tunsil still available. The Jets reportedly  offered their in-state rivals their second round pick in this year’s draft.

However, the Giants decided that dropping down ten spots for only a second round pick (and swapped first) was not good enough, and they drafted cornerback Eli Apple.

Tunsil eventually was drafted three picks later, with the 13th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins. Additionally, it is unclear whether the Jets tried trading up to the 11th, 12th, or 13th pick.

In the end, the New York Jets drafted Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee.

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