How the Jets trading up impacts Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley is looking at a potential fall in the draft with the Jets trading up and adding pressure to the quarterback market.
After the Tyrod Taylor trade, some thought that Saquon Barkley may be the No. 1 overall pick to round out the Cleveland Browns offense. However, after signing Carlos Hyde, the Browns are likely out on Barkley at first overall.
The New York Giants are reportedly in love with Barkley and could certainly draft him at No. 2. That being said, the New York Jets have forced the issue. Other teams looking to draft a quarterback now must trade in front of the Jets. This could mean a huge haul of picks for the Giants. They could also simply draft their own quarterback of the future if they believe Davis Webb isn’t the answer.
Quarterback-needy teams like the Buffalo Bills (12th and 22nd picks) and Arizona Cardinals (15th pick) could be looking to get one of the big four quarterbacks in this year’s draft; Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Josh Rosen. If the signal-caller they love is available after the Browns pick, they may feel forced to trade up in front of the Jets, potentially with the trade shown below. This would mean Barkley not being drafted at second overall.
Then, we know that the Jets will most likely be drafting a quarterback and it is back to the Browns at No. 4.
As mentioned, the perception is that there are four top quarterbacks in this year’s draft. So, if the Bills or Cardinals still want to, they could trade into that fourth spot in the draft. The Browns could just as easily keep the pick and take Barkley. However, with Joe Thomas retiring they could be looking at drafting Quenton Nelson to improve what was the 22nd-best pass protecting offensive line per FootballOutsiders.
The Denver Broncos also need a quarterback, so if the Browns take Nelson, they may draft a quarterback at No. 5. The Colts would be better off taking Minkah Fitzpatrick or Bradley Chubb to help resurrect their defense, living with Marlon Mack for the time being. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would almost certainly take Barkley at No. 7, ending his fall.
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The Buccaneers need Barkley, they had the 25th-best rushing attack per FootballOutsiders and just released Doug Martin. That being said, Barkley, could fall from a top two pick to the seventh pick. The monetary impacts of this are huge.
Last year, the first-overall pick (Myles Garrett) had a signing bonus of just over 20 million dollars. On the flip side, seventh-overall pick (Mike Williams) had a signing bonus of just over 12.5 million dollars.
Barkley could see a fall in the draft, costing him millions. In that case, it would all go back to the Jets trading up to the third-overall pick in the draft.