The Santonio Holmes Trade and the New York Jets

Ever since the trade of Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets, it has been widely speculated that the New York Jets were now looking at positions other than wide receiver in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft. I have to ask why they would not look at a wide receiver with the 29th overall selection.

They now have a pair of outstanding receivers in Holmes and Braylon Edwards. They still have Jerricho Cotchery. They have a need for an interior defensive lineman, and they need an outside pass rushing threat to compensate for the lack of production they have gotten out of Vernon Gholston. But for my money it is the presence of Holmes and Edwards that will lead them to take a wide receiver in the first round.

Both are under contract through the end of the 2010 season. Holmes will be sitting out the first 4 games of 2010. Edwards has proven to have a case of the dropsies throughout his career. It can be deduced that while both players will help them immensely in 2010, they may not be the long term solution.

Let's say that both Holmes and Edwards have outstanding seasons in 2010. What kind of contracts will they be looking for down the road? Do the Jets want to keep both of them on the team at a high price tag and a history of off the field problems? My thought is no.

They have a franchise quarterback in place in Mark Sanchez. They have a 2 back system in place with Shonn Greene and LaDanian Tomlinson. They have perhaps they best offensive line in the NFL. The Jets proved to be a run first team in 2009, and even with the development and maturity of Sanchez I believe they will remain a running team. Holmes and Edwards may not be too happy with the number of touches they are getting. If that happens how long will it be before they start to have problems with remaining on the Jets? I see all of this adding up to the Jets taking their wide receiver of the future in the first round.

I have had the Jets taking Golden Tate with the 29th overall selection, and I still feel they are looking at a receiver. If they look towards the defense then Jared Odrick, Brian Price, Everson Griffen or Jerry Hughes could be their target. One thing has been proven true over they year. You can't have enough weapons on offense. I see the Jets adding one more to their arsenal.