The Jets currently have one of the better safety units in the NFL with Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, and 2020 draftee Ashtyn Davis. However, Maye could be on the move soon.
According to Manish Mehta of New York Daily News, the Jets have had talks about trading Maye in recent days.
Sources: Jets have had trade talks about safety Marcus Maye.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) May 4, 2020
Story: https://t.co/qJnpBMDzmb pic.twitter.com/68g0KigunV
Surrounding Maye is Adams, the star safety who is one of the best at his position, as well as Davis, the 23-year-old new guy who has had some really impressive film and may actually be ready to start despite being a rookie selected in the third round.
The Jets were worried earlier in the offseason that they may lose Jamal Adams due to contract issues so that may have factored into the decision to draft the aforementioned Davis. The Adams dilemma may have leveled to an extent but there is another issue at hand. What happens if he Jets keep Adams and also need to lock up Maye after his contract expires in 2021? That has the potential to be an uber-expensive backfield. Maye was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft, one round after fellow safety Jamal Adams, but would almost certainly be a first-round talent if that class were to be re-ranked.
With all this in mind, Joe Douglas may be wise to go and explore a trade for Maye to get even younger and use the salary for other areas of need. Then again, there is the question raised of why go and break up the strength of the team? The 6-foot-1, 202-pound Davis can be a starter in this league and a replacement for Maye but he is not at the same level.
Another roadblock in dealing Maye? History shows that players who demand contract extensions and don’t get what they want may hold out until they are traded. Or worse, they could avoid signing an extension altogether if they want the money because they have some rift within the organization. Is it worth the risk for the Jets to trade Marcus Maye, a good friend of Jamal Adams, and then risk not being able to retain Adams?
Trading Maye would present many potential upsides but also has some huge bust potential.
