:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63213002/630215782.jpg.0.jpg)
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have made their first blockbuster move of the offseason on the eve of the legal tampering period. They’ve made a trade to acquire former Raiders left guard Kelechi Osemele.
Raiders have an agreement in principle to trade G Kelechi Osemele to the NY Jets, sources tell @josinaanderson and me. Trade cannot be processed until Weds, but two sides have agreement in place. Another Raiders’ trade.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2019
The Jets and Raiders swapped 2019 Draft selections in the deal. The Jets sent their fifth round pick (#140 overall) to Oakland. The Raiders are sending Chicago’s sixth round pick (#196 overall) to the Jets with Osemele.
Osemele was selected 60th overall by the Ravens in the second round of the 2012 Draft. He spent four seasons there before signing a five year deal with the Raiders prior to the 2016 season. He was an All-Pro in 2016 and a Pro Bowler in both 2016 and 2017, starting 31 of 32 games and earning a reputation as one of the league’s best guards.
He struggled to stay healthy in his age-29 2018 season, missing a total of five starts over two separate stretches.
The Jets have their starting left guard, and when healthy he represents a major upgrade over what they had at the position in 2018 with an aging James Carpenter and a terrible Spencer Long.
Osemele has two years remaining on his contract. He will carry a $10.2M cap hit in 2019, and would carry an $11.7M hit if he remains on the team in 2020. There is no guaranteed money left on his deal.