Best potential Trent Williams trade partners for Redskins to look into

New York Jets

The Jets are the other AFC East team that could consider trading for Williams. They are hurting at the tackle position and need to get some protection for Sam Darnold this offseason.

The Jets offensive line wasn’t very good last season. They struggled to open holes for Le’Veon Bell in the running game and four of their starters are set to hit free agency. This may be a chance for New York to rebuild that struggling unit and help transform their offense.

Last season, Kelvin Beachum was the starting left tackle for the Jets. He was very solid with the squad and they were significantly better when he and Darnold were on the field. They may look to retain him in free agency but even if they do, they’d still have a hole on the right side where Brandon Shell, a mediocre player, is set to hit the market.

Williams would come in and immediately fill one of those holes. He’d be a better fit on the left side, so if the Jets traded for Williams and re-signed Beachum, they could either flip Beachum to the right side or kick him inside to guard. Either move would be a big-time upgrade for the squad.

Trading for Williams will also open up opportunities for the Jets with the No. 11 pick. They are rumored to be interested in one of the top four tackles or some receiver help, but if they trade for Williams, it may give them a chance to select a guy like Jerry Jeudy over Andrew Thomas, if they should like to do that. Or, they could take Thomas or Jedrick Wills (depending on who’s on the board) and kick them over to right tackle.

The Jets are armed with the 43rd overall pick in the NFL Draft and that could interest the Redskins. They aren’t likely to trade Williams straight up for that compensation, but if the Jets throw in a mid-round pick or a 2021 Day 2 pick, that could be enough to see Williams head to the Big Apple.