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Jets GM says he's open to trading up for a quarterback

If the New York Jets fall in love with a quarterback in the 2018 NFL draft, they would be willing to trade up if they don't think he'll last until the sixth pick.

So says general manager Mike Maccagnan.

The question was posed to him Wednesday on the Humpty & Canty Show on ESPN New York 98.7, and he replied "yes" without hesitation.

"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."

In three drafts, Maccagnan has yet to trade up in the first round, although he made inquiries in 2016. That's the year quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz were selected one-two.

Maccagnan said he'd be interested in trading up for any position if he felt it was worth it, but we all know it's apples and oranges when it comes to quarterbacks and other positions. By acknowledging he's open to going up for a quarterback, Maccagnan is basically saying he's willing to pay the enormous price it would take to make such a move.

How much are we talking about?

In 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles moved from eighth to second and it cost them their first-round pick in 2017 and their second-rounder in 2018, along with a couple of mid-round picks. They wound up with Wentz, so no one in Philadelphia is complaining.

The Jets probably would have to surrender a similar package to secure the first or second overall pick.

As for the actual players, the quarterback landscape still hasn't been settled. Of the top prospects, Josh Allen (Wyoming) and Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) are the only ones we know for sure will be in the draft. Sam Darnold (USC) and Josh Rosen (UCLA) have yet to declare their intentions. The deadline is Jan. 15.