Braylon Edwards Traded To The Jets: The Missing Piece?

We awoke this morning to be greeted with the news that Braylon Edwards had been traded to the New York Jets from the Cleveland Browns.

In return for the disgruntled WR, the Browns received WR Chansi Stuckey, LB Jason Trusnik, and two draft picks; a third (which can escalate into a second) and a fifth round pick.

This marks the second time the Jets have done business with their former coach Eric Mangini, who they traded up with in the draft to acquire Mark Sanchez. After acquiring their franchise QB via the Browns, the Jets have landed a number one target for him.

Edwards, 26, is in the midst of a second straight disappointing campaign after a breakout 2007 season which saw him catch 16 TD passes. 

Edwards was clearly in need of a change of scenery as he became a locker room distraction for the Browns. He never really fit in, in Cleveland and had been labeled a diva. He gets a fresh start now in New York and will look to take advantage.

After making the trade it is clear that the Jets think they can win now. They had the opportunity to trade for Edwards in the offseason but balked. They didn’t know what kind of a team they had and didn’t want to risk giving up a high draft pick.

Four games into the season, the Jets are looking like legitimate contenders but their offensive needed another weapon. GM Mike Tannenbaum realized he had to strike while the iron was hot. In doing so he has put the Jets in prime position to contend for a Super Bowl this year.

However, the deal also comes as a mild risk for the Jets, but a receiver with Edwards talent is always worth the risk. Everyone knows about his issues and his most recent run in with the law involving one of Lebron’s friends.

However, if there is anyone that can whip a guy into shape, it's Rex Ryan. Rex doesn’t play games and will not tolerate Braylon’s crap.

In getting Edwards, the Jets get the number one receiver they have been clamoring for. He represents the best receiver the Jets have had since Keyshawn Johnson was still wearing the green and white. 

Edwards size, 6′3” 215, gives the Jets a legitimate red zone target, something they have been lacking for years. While Jerricho Cotchery has been great so far this season he is not a go-to-guy and Chansi Stuckey wasn’t intimidating defenses on the other side.

Now the Jets, who have a Super Bowl caliber defense, have an offense that can compete with the rest of the league.

The Jets have struggled to run the ball this year, mostly because defenses have stacked the box. They’re not scared of the Jets’s air attack. With Edwards in the fold, defenses will have to respect the passing game as well, and hopefully that will start to open up some holes for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington.

While the addition of Edwards will help the running game, the guy this trade helps the most is Mark Sanchez. The “Sanchize” has been as advertised so far, save for the Saints game, but is now in an even better situation to succeed. 

The Jets have run mostly short to intermediate routes so far this season and have not gone deep often. Edwards gives Sanchez a vertical threat to complement the possession threat that Cotchery presents. At the very least, even if he doesn’t revert to his 2007 form, he still represents an upgrade from Chansi Stuckey.

Edwards is in a contract year. That doesn’t mean he will bolt after the season. As it stands, it is looking like 2010 will be an uncapped year, and if that’s the case Edwards would be a restricted free agent and the Jets would retain his rights for at least another season.

If a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, Edwards would remain an unrestricted free agent. That said, I imagine the Jets would place the franchise tag on him if they are unable to hammer out a long term deal.

The Jets didn’t give up much for the talented WO. Stuckey will be replaced by Edwards and the Jets are plenty deep at LB to shoulder the loss of Trusnik, who mainly played special team anyway.

The draft picks hurt a little but the Jets will enter then 2010 NFL Draft still armed with their first two picks and their number one need, receiver, filled. If the third rounder escalates to a second rounder, it means Edwards tore it up and Jets fans will not be complaining.

Thanks again Mangini for not only giving the Jets their franchise QB, but now also for his go to guy.