Did the New York Jets Get the Right Man in Braylon Edwards?

By trading up to acquire Mark Sanchez in the previous NFL Draft, the New York Jets showed they were not afraid of making aggressive moves to better their football team. After a blistering start, the Jets and Sanchez hit a bump in the road against New Orleans and the response was swift and decisive.

Sanchez needed help and he got it when the Jets traded for Braylon Edwards to solve their wide receiver woes.

Two players and two picks went Cleveland’s way and despite giving up a lot, both teams could end up benefiting from the deal.

The Jets have been linked with a host of wide receivers from Pro Bowlers Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall to rookie Michael Crabtree. And despite the strong start, the tough time Sanchez had against New Orleans further emphasised the need for a number one receiver, a go-to-guy.

The running game has stalled on too many occasions for Coach Rex Ryan to pin his hopes on Thomas Jones and Leon Washington and the attention Edwards warrants will hopefully free up space for Pro Bowlers Jones and Washington to replicate last year’s numbers.

Edwards himself is hardly an angel. Like many of his fellow wide-receiver colleagues, he has been involved in his fair share of off-field incidents. The latest involved him allegedly punching LeBron James’ good friend Edwards Givens. It may well have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Edward’s career in the NFL has peaked and troughed. He has notched up 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns in a season and he has been to a Pro Bowl. Wide receivers like that don’t grow on trees.

However he also led the league in drops last season and for a number three overall pick, his numbers have been modest. So is that a result of playing in a poor team or a result of Edwards not having the required commitment? The jury remains out on that one.

Edwards has spoke of becoming disillusioned with life in Cleveland. He has played in a poor team with neither Derek Anderson nor Brady Quinn able to nail down the quarterback spot. It has therefore been difficult for him to find consistency too and even more difficult for him to develop a strong relationship with the chosen quarterback.

Edwards has spoken of trying to finding a receiver/quarterback bond similar to the one which Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning have. Edwards and Sanchez are both young but they will need to have the same commitment and desire that both Manning and Wayne show to get anywhere near to their level.

It will take time to see who benefits most from this trade. The Browns are a re-building team and the addition of four players will help them grow. Edwards was clearly unhappy and Coach Eric Mangini has removed a big headache.

As for the Jets, Edwards could well be the missing piece in the jigsaw. He should be able to stretch the field, he should be able to be the number one receiver Sanchez so desperately needs and his presence will also draw attention away from Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller. All of this is of course dependent on him returning to his 2007 form.