Jets Trade Leon Washington to Seattle to Select John Conner

by John B on Apr 24, 2010 12:33 PM EDT

The Joe McKnight pick made it clear the writing was on the wall. The Jets then traded Leon Washington and their seventh round pick to Seattle for a fifth round pick to select John Conner, a fullback from Kentucky.

Conner is considered the best blocking fullback in the Draft. He does not add much as a runner or a receiver, but we have seen firsthand how valuable Tony Richardson has been as a lead blocker. Conner will get to learn from the best mentor he will ever have for a year or two and then will take over. The Jets were going to have to address this position eventually. This was a good time.

Leon's value was low, the team hates his agent, and McKnight left him without a role. They used him to turn a seventh round pick into a fifth round. The seventh round pick was next to worthless anyway. The Jets pick so low, they probably can sign the guy they wanted to use that pick on as a free agent anyway.

That completes this Draft for the Jets unless they turn somebody like Kellen Clemens into a late pick. There seems to be some grumbling, but I think they have had a great Draft. The four guys they picked all seem like they can become positive regular players. They also used picks to land Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. How many times can you find six contributors in one class? It's a real possibility.

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Come with me if you want to live

by Bro Namath on Apr 24, 2010 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

After hearing we released Faneca for nothing earlier, I’ll take this easy. I guess we weren’t as high on Davis as it seemed…

by random122 on Apr 24, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

It seem like we address our future on the offensive side instead of improving our present on the defensive side.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Apr 24, 2010 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

I wholeheartedly agree with this

However like David said I’m willing to see how it plays out.

by Bro Namath on Apr 24, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

We had the best defense in the league last year, added Cromartie and Wilson, and are getting Jenkins back. How much does it really hurt?

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by John B on Apr 24, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

dont forget jason taylor

by Max Strauss on Apr 24, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

and brodney pool

by Max Strauss on Apr 24, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

First

I think you’re making the assumption that Cromartie will automatically start playing good again when he’s with the Jets. Wilson I’m a little more convinced is the real deal.

Douglas is gone, Pouha will be riding bench most of the time, Sheppard and Strickland are rightfully gone. Only the blindly optimistic think Pool is an upgrade over Rhodes. All that leaves is Jenkins, coming off of injured reserve with many suggesting he move to end.

Our linebacker core, with or without Thomas, is absolutely nasty. No argument from me as to the threat they pose the rest of the league. Adding Taylor cannot hurt our ability. Hell, if last season is any indicator, he has way more left in the tank than he is being given credit for.

Meanwhile, we keep Gholston and move him to another position while we get rid of Pro Bowlers on the other side of the ball for “monetary reasons”. How much cash do you really need when you pay a guy millions of dollars to do nothing?

In spite of all of this. Like you, under Rex Ryan, I predict this defense to excel and be one of the best. But there are SO many question marks nobody wants to acknowledge. The faces have changed. And when we’re expecting to win….well, you know how history plays out in that situation.

Anyway, it doesn’t necessarily hurt us. I just agreed with that guy that the Jets build their future offense over their present defense. Seems people are treating end, line, and safety as a luxury position right now, something we don’t really need. Unfortunately being a Jets fan my entire life causes me not to share your blind optimism.

by Bro Namath on Apr 24, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m going to hold off judgement on this draft until I see the UDFA we bring in because we are midway through the 5th here, and there is absolute ton of talent still there.

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by David_Wyatt on Apr 24, 2010 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Please dont let go of Richardson now.

After what happened with Faneca, I dont want another mentor dropped because we “think” we have the solution.

I think the defense has a few holes left to fill, beyond what the draft offered. Jets only want certain guys, and they refused to settle, so they might look to FA and trades.

Up until dropping Faneca was really hyped up about the off-season. Right now im about neutral.

by VinnyG917 on Apr 24, 2010 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Is mcknight better than Leon? And taking a strong blocking Fb is a great move for the future and clearly signals we are not going away from our ground and pound game. Sucks Leon holds so little value however. Today clearly shows the jets are serious about winning it all and will not let emotions affect their decisions.

by Ryan243 on Apr 24, 2010 12:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Honestly how much of the rock was Leon going to see? They kept talking like they had to ease him in like he lost alot of his game with that injury. I doubt this season he will be the Leon of old so McKnight just might be better for this season. Next year or two maybe Leon comes back to form but thid league is about today

by Jets#1 on Apr 24, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

As much as I loved Leon

this could be good. I’m excited about McKnight, and Conner could have an immediate impact for us.

Pitching coach Dan Warthen said, "He literally has a rubber arm," before he agreed figuratively was the appropriate adverb.

by Prince on Apr 24, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

McKnight better than Leon?

I think the answer is “no” when looking at Leon pre-injury. But the “KEY” here is pre-injury. The Jets weren’t willing to take a chance on him being a shadow of himself and I don’t blame them. Living on the West Coast I have been able to watch a majority of McKnights games. McKnight has speed and quickness but dances around too much looking for the homerun. He is also susceptible to the turnover because of holding the ball away from his body. He is an excellent receiver and has good YAC and will also do a good job on returning kicks. I do worry abut his ability to hold up under the punishment delivered in the NFL because of his slight build. Overall though, I think given the questions surrounding Washington’s ability to return to his “old” self, the Jets did a good job in replacing him.

by tomjet on Apr 24, 2010 1:18 PM EDT reply actions