NFL rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Jadeveon Clowney

2. New York Jets

The Jets seem to be in a perpetual search for an edge rusher, and the only way they addressed it to this point in the offseason is with an upside gamble on Jachai Polite in the third round of the draft. While quarterback Sam Darnold is on his rookie contract, the template to add notable pieces has been set by other teams and the Jets should follow it now as they look to at least compete for a playoff spot.

The Jets, with just over $13 million in cap space right now, would have to send a player to Houston in a deal for Clowney. But the prospect of this year’s first-round pick Quinnen Williams and Leonard Williams on the inside to go with Clowney coming off the edge to dismantle opposing offensive lines is intriguing, and the rest of the defense would naturally benefit.

It’s worth noting Leonard Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and very early in the offseason he surfaced as a potential trade candidate. His $14.2 million salary and cap hit for this year would match up nicely with Clowney’s salary under the franchise tag.