Jets Trade Rumors: Darron Lee Could Be Dealt on 2019 NFL Draft Day 3

The New York Jets may look to move linebacker Darron Lee in order to bring in additional draft picks during the third and final day of the 2019 NFL draft Saturday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

New York currently owns two picks over the final four rounds of the 2019 NFL draft.

The Jets drafted defensive tackle Quinnen Williams with the third overall pick in the first round before taking edge-rusher Jachai Polite and offensive tackle Chuma Edoga in the third round. They did not have a second-rounder after packaging it in the trade up for Sam Darnold last year.

Lee is coming off arguably his most productive season to date despite being sidelined for four games because of a substance-abuse suspension late in the year. He recorded 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions and one touchdown.

He was on pace to establish a new career high in tackles (94 in 2017) prior to his suspension.

That performance earned him a Pro Football Focus rating of 72.4, by far the highest of his career. According to Pro Football Focus' Michael Renner, the 6'1", 232-pound linebacker's 84.8 coverage grade was the third-best at his position last year.

Lee was taken with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 draft. He has shown potential, and the 24-year-old's $1.8 million cap hit in 2019 would be a low-cost option for a team in need of bolstering its linebacking corps.

Brian Costello of the New York Post reported in March that the Jets are not expected to pick up the fifth-year option on Lee's rookie contract. If the linebacker is traded Saturday, though, the acquiring team would have until May 3 to make a decision on the option.

Avery Williamson's productive first year in the Big Apple and the signing of four-time Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley in free agency earlier this offseason has made Lee expendable. With the Jets lacking draft capital on Day 3, a trade could net the team its desired selections.