New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said he will explore the possibility of trading up in next week’s NFL Draft.
Speculation has the Jets, who have the No. 6 overall pick, setting their sights on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Maccagnan, the Jets’ first-year GM who was speaking Friday at his pre-draft news conference in Florham Park, N.J., said he is hesitant to give away draft picks.
“We’re going to reach out to every team ahead of us to gauge, to get a value for what they’re looking for in compensation to move up in the draft,” Maccagnan said. “That doesn’t mean we’re actually trying to go up and get a player. But you hear what the market value is basically, and then what you do is see what unfolds with the first few picks and who is available. We’ll have that discussion when we get to the draft — if we want to move up in the draft.”
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 2 pick and several teams are expected to be interested in acquiring it to move up in the draft.
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is projected to be the first overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFLDraftScout.com ranks Winston as the No. 1 overall prospect and Mariota as No. 2 in the draft, which will take place in Chicago beginning Thursday night.
The Jets have shown considerable interest in Mariota, who came to New Jersey to meet with team officials at the Jets’ facility. In addition, Mariota conducted a private workout in Eugene, Ore., for the Jets’ brass.
“Philosophically, I’m not opposed to moving up in the draft to get a player if you feel it’s a player that’s going to be an extremely good player, but I would, personally, like to get more picks,” said Maccagnan, who was hired Jan. 13. “It would be more opportunities to acquire more talent.”
During free agency, the Jets added 15 players for about $80 million in guarantees.
Maccagnan, the former director of college scouting for the Houston Texans, had an easier path to acceptance thanks to former general manager John Idzik, who managed to lose his job after just two years.
Maccagnan would not comment on whether he considers quarterback a need, but he admitted he was “absolutely” comfortable with the homework the Jets have done on Mariota.
Geno Smith will have competition for the Jets’ starting quarterback job after veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick was acquired last month in a trade with the Houston Texans.
The Jets are coming off a 4-12 season under former coach Rex Ryan. The Jets hired Todd Bowles as their new head coach in January.
