Jets May Have To Lower Asking Price For Sheldon Richardson Following Timmy Jernigan Trade

Rich Cimini of ESPN writes that if the Jets are still hoping to trade DL Sheldon Richardson, they may have to lower their asking price following the recent Timmy Jernigan trade.

The Ravens sent Jernigan and the No. 99 overall pick to the Eagles in return for the No. 74 overall selection (NFLTR), which is just an improvement of 21 spots.

Cimini notes that Jernigan’s value in this trade was equivalent to the No. 96 overall pick.

Last year, the Jets were reportedly looking for a first-round pick in return for Richardson, but it’s now highly unlikely that they’ll get anything close to that in return for Richardson.

The Jets could hold on to Richardson for one more year and possibly recoup a 2019 third-round compensatory pick, depending on the contract he signs as a free agent next year.

Cimini mentions that Richardson and Jernigan are players based on their production and where they can line up. From 2016 to 2016, Richardson totaled 14.5 sacks while Jernigan produced 13 sacks. However, the main difference is the fact that Richardson is scheduled to make $8 million for the 2017 season while Jernigan will get just $1 million.

Beyond that, Richardson comes with other concerns including two suspensions.

A few weeks ago, Jason Cole of B/R reported that he spoke to two teams who indicated that they’re interested in trading for Richardson, but neither would offer very much for him at this point in time.

According to Cole, the executives both said they would be willing to part with a fourth-round pick for Richardson. Although, the executives did say they would consider a conditional 2018 pick instead that could end up being higher based on his play and whether they’re able to sign him to a long-term contract.

Unfortunately, Cole doesn’t offer any specifics regarding which teams are interested in a trade for Richardson.

The Jets reportedly spoke with the Cowboys last year, so it’s possible that they could resume trade talks at some point.

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 Richardson trade as the news is available.