Jets' Selection of Leonard Williams Signals Oncoming Exit for Muhammad Wilkerson

The New York Jets' picks in the 2015 NFL draft felt a lot like "second verse, same as the first." 

Once again, the focus was on the defensive side of the ball, with three of the Jets' six picks used on defense (three of seven, if you count the trade of a seventh-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for running back Zac Stacy). Once again, the Jets drafted a defensive lineman with the ability to play multiple spots in their 3-4 defense.

Only this time, there are much larger implications for the future of one of the Jets' most important players over the past few years.

The Jets aren't saying goodbye to defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson just yet, but with their selection of USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams sixth overall in the draft, the writing is almost certainly on the wall for the four-year veteran.

Not many expected Williams to be available at that point, projecting him as a top-five pick. Thus, it makes total sense that a report from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Thursday morning suggested that Wilkerson was not on the trade block, and a report from ESPN.com's Rich Cimini Thursday night suggested that he might be. 

Wilkerson is not necessarily holding out, but he did not report to the first session of the Jets' offseason workout program. General manager Mike Maccagnan is saying all the right things, but even though he said the Jets "definitely want to keep [Wilkerson] in the organization," there are three words implied at the end of that sentence: "at the right price."

Make no mistake; Wilkerson is not obsolete in light of the Jets' new coaching staff, who will run a similar scheme to what Rex Ryan ran for six years in New York. Never mind the fact that he's not a double-digit sack player; that's not what's asked of a defensive lineman in Todd Bowles' defense. He is most often playing on the inside or lined up between the guard and tackle, which leaves him susceptible to many double-teams.

Just ask Calvin Pace what kind of impact Wilkerson can have. The 12-year veteran lined up next to Wilkerson for much of the 2013 and 2014 season, and logged 15 sacks in that span—tying a career-high for most in a two-year span. 

That being said, Williams could have a similar type of impact. 

The Jets also don't have to pull the trigger on the first trade offer that comes along. They aren't crazy for beginning the asking price at multiple first-round picks, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora; Wilkerson is a very talented player, and the 3-4 defense is currently more popular than the 4-3.

Will the Jets receive that kind of compensation for Wilkerson? Probably not, but have you ever seen an episode of "Pawn Stars"? Always start by asking for more than you'll actually accept. 

For the time being, Bowles can run as many different defensive packages as his mind can concoct. With Wilkerson, Williams, Damon Harrison, Sheldon Richardson and Quinton Coples all in the fold, the Jets can mix-and-match their defensive personnel to run either a 3-4 or a 4-3, and to put any number of different combinations on the field within those fronts.

The schematic aspect isn't the only thing that the Jets must consider, though; they also have to account for the financial aspect of retaining Wilkerson. The Jets have at least six players counting for at least $8 million against the salary cap in each of the next three years, according to Spotrac. After forking out over $39 million in guaranteed money for Revis, the Jets will be taking at least $15 million off their salary cap for the All-World cornerback for each of the next three years. 

Keep all that in mind when remembering that Wilkerson could be seeking a contract worth upwards of $40 million in guaranteed money over a four-year period, similar to what St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn signed last offseason. 

The Jets would have a hard time ponying up for another prized player on defense after giving Revis the keys to a Brinks truck.

There's still the possibility that Wilkerson could be back for the next two years. After all, the Jets have the option of hitting him with the franchise tag next offseason to prevent him from hitting the open market. At that point, if a team tried to sign him away (and was successful in doing so), the Jets would receive the two first-round picks they seek as compensation.

No matter how well Wilkerson performs from here on out, one can reasonably assume that the rest of his time with the Jets will serve as an audition for his next franchise. 

Unless otherwise noted, all salary cap and contract information provided by Spotrac.