Report: Woody Johnson Influenced Jets Trade for Better Pick to Draft ‘Mr. Irrelevant’
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Brock Purdy’s impressive rise in the NFL, having been the final pick in the 2022 draft by the San Francisco 49ers, has evidently made a significant impression on New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
According to a report by The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini, and Michael Silver, Johnson directed then-general manager Joe Douglas to trade the Denver Broncos the 256th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as part of the Zach Wilson trade.
Originally, the Broncos requested the last pick of the draft at No. 257 overall—also owned by the Jets—but as one source indicated, Johnson felt he “needed the Mr. Irrelevant pick” due to his obsession with the public perception of the organization.
“I don’t think that’s ever happened in NFL history: A team wanted a worse pick,” the source remarked.
For the record, the Jets utilized the pick to select Alabama safety Jaylen Key. He began this season on their practice squad but was released in October. The 24-year-old was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on Tuesday.
The Broncos selected center Nick Gargiulo from South Carolina, who has been mostly on their practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for their last two games.
In the grand scheme, this isn’t a massive issue. The difference in value between picks at the very end of the draft is minimal.
However, it highlights Johnson’s apparent desire for constant headlines, regardless of whether it benefits the franchise. While there is a certain charm to the Mr. Irrelevant pick on draft night, the likelihood of that player becoming a significant contributor to an NFL team is incredibly low.
Besides Purdy, how many players chosen as the final pick in the draft can even the most dedicated NFL draft followers name off the top of their heads?
If the Jets are to emerge from their prolonged slump, which includes 14 consecutive seasons devoid of a playoff appearance and nine consecutive losing seasons, the ideal scenario would be for Johnson to take a step back and allow the front office to operate without his influence in roster decisions.
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