INDIANAPOLIS — A rare one-for-one player trade between the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans on Thursday has further solidified the expectation that the Las Vegas Raiders will use the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The Jets sent edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, a move that suggests New York plans to stay at No. 2 and target an elite edge rusher rather than trade up for Mendoza.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey, who worked with Raiders GM John Spytek when both were scouts for the Denver Broncos from 2013 to 2015, had previously chuckled when asked about trading up to No. 1. “I talk to Spytek and those guys often, as I do with other teams,” Mougey said. “Talking about moving up and moving back. Absolutely we will talk about all of those things, but I don’t think that’s happening. You can ask Spytek, though.”
Spytek has said the Raiders are “always listening” to trade proposals, but Mougey’s trade Thursday appears to remove the most likely suitor. The Jets had been considered among the most aggressive potential bidders, possessing the No. 2 and No. 16 picks — two selections in the top half of the first round that could have formed a strong offer.
No other team has similar draft capital this year, making any alternative trade proposal dependent on future assets. Mendoza is a -20,000 favorite to go No. 1, meaning a $2,000 bet would win $10.
On the field, defensive prospects impressed during Thursday’s combine drills. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 241 pounds, drawing comparisons to Micah Parsons as a linebacker who can rush off the edge. Teammate Sonny Styles also ran a 4.46. Texas Tech’s David Bailey posted a 4.51 40, though he will be 23 by Week 1.
