Jets GM open to trading up to draft quarterback

Jan 4, 2018 - 3:45 PM New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan admitted interest in moving up in the 2018 NFL draft if a quarterback piques his interest.

When asked about that very situation regarding the Jets' sixth overall pick in the draft, Maccagnan told New York 98.7 the following:

"The simple answer to that question is yes," Maccagnan said. "If that was a player we felt strong about, we would have no qualms of potentially trying to go up and get him."

Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield out of Oklahoma, Wyoming's Josh Allen, UCLA's Josh Rosen and USC's Sam Darnold have declared for the 2018 NFL draft.

Josh McCown set career highs in completions (267), passing yards (2,926) and touchdowns (18) last season and also matched a personal best with 13 starts, set originally in 2004.

McCown, the Jets' 38-year-old journeyman quarterback, galvanized a ragtag group on offense that provided some entertaining moments, especially at MetLife Stadium. But the Jets still lost nine of their last 11, and the wheels completely fell off when McCown broke his hand in Week 14 in Denver and was replaced by Bryce Petty.

Fellow quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who was a second-round pick in 2016, hasn't participated in a regular-season game.

Maccagnan has selected a defensive player in the opening round of the last three drafts (defensive lineman Leonard Williams, linebacker Darron Lee, safety Jamal Adams).