Jets Expected To Try To Trade DE Sheldon Richardson In Next Few Weeks

ESPN’s Rich Cimini mentions that the Jets will “almost certainly” attempt to trade DE Sheldon Richardson in the next few weeks.

Cimini writes that if would make sense for the Jets to try to get something in return for Richardson now, as opposed to losing him as a free agent next year and waiting to get a compensatory pick in 2019.

According to the Cimini, the Jets will likely ask for a first-round pick in return for Richardson but may have to settle for a third-round selection in the end.

Richardson is clearly a talented player, but he’s also coming off of a disappointing 2016 season in which he produced just 1.5 sacks and there are concerns about his character and the fact that he’s previously been suspended.

Cimini previously mentioned that if the Jets dropped their asking price to a second-round pick last year, they may have had a shot at reaching a deal with an interested team before the trade deadline. Although, Cimini admits that he can’t say for certain they would’ve got a second-round selection in return for Richardson.

The Jets reportedly spoke with the Cowboys last year, so it’s possible that they could resume trade talks in the coming months.

Richardson, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Jets back in 2013. He played out his the final year of his four-year, $10.054 million rookie contract but the Jets elected to pick up his fifth-year option last year, which means he’s under team control through the 2017 season and will make a bases salary of $8.069 million.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Richardson would free up $8,069,000 of available cap space while creating no dead money.

In 2016, In 2016, Richardson appeared in 15 games for the Jets and recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 31 edge defender out of 109 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a potential trade involving Richardson as the news is available.