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New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey reacting in the middle of the 2025 NFL Combine.
The New York Jets hold the No. 33 overall pick in the second round, the first pick of day two.
“[Darren] Mougey is sitting pretty with the first pick in the second round — recently, a hot spot for trades. That pick has been traded in three of the last four drafts. After Day 1, teams reassess their draft board and tend to get antsy if there’s a player they really like. The Jets can sit back and field offers, deciding if it pays to move out of that spot,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote.
“The pick could have intriguing value if quarterback Ty Simpson (Alabama) is still available. They earned the 33rd pick by tying three other teams for the worst record, receiving the first pick in the second round as part of an alternating method,” Cimini added.
History of the Pick
The NFL officially expanded to 32 teams ahead of the 2002 NFL draft when the Houston Texans were founded.
The first pick of the second round has often been discussed as a tradeable asset that smart teams can take advantage of. I wanted to study the history of that selection dating back to 2002.
There have been 24 NFL drafts from 2002 through 2025. The first pick of the second round has been traded seven times, including in three of the last four years.
2004
Oakland Raiders receive: a 2003 third-round pick (No. 83 overall) and a 2003 seventh-round pick (No. 262 overall)
Houston Texans receive: a 2004 second-round pick
This trade happened a year in advance (April of 2003). The pick would end up being the top pick in the second round; however, it was forfeited a few months later (July of 2003) after the Texans took Georgia Tech running back Tony Hollings in the supplemental draft.
2011
Carolina Panthers receive: a 2010 third-round pick (No. 89 overall)
New England Patriots receive: a 2011 second-round pick (No. 33 overall)
This trade also happened a year in advance (April of 2010).
2015
Tennessee Titans receive: a 2015 second rounder (No. 40 overall), a 2015 fourth rounder (No. 108 overall), and a 2015 seventh rounder (No. 245)
New York Giants receive: a 2015 second-rounder (No. 33 overall)
This was the first of the trades that happened in the moment on draft day.
2017
Cleveland Browns receive: a 2017 first-round pick (No. 29 overall)
Green Bay Packers receive: a 2017 second-round pick (No. 33 overall) and a 2017 fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall)
This move allowed Cleveland to acquire a third first-round draft choice in 2017 by moving back up.
2022
Jacksonville Jaguars receive: a 2022 first-round pick (No. 27 overall)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive: a 2022 second-round pick (No. 33 overall), a 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 106 overall), and a 2022 sixth-round pick (No. 180 overall)
The Jags gave up three picks to get back into the first round.
2023
Chicago Bears receive: wide receiver Chase Claypool
Pittsburgh Steelers receive: a 2023 second-round pick (No. 33 overall)
Ahead of the 2022 NFL trade deadline, the Steelers flipped Claypool to Chicago for a second-round draft choice that ended up becoming the first pick of day two.
2024
Carolina Panthers receive: a 2024 first-round pick (No. 32 overall) and a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 200 overall)
Buffalo Bills receive: a 2024 second-round pick (No. 33 overall) and a 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 141 overall)
Finally, the Bills swapped a pair of picks for a pair of picks.
Could the Jets Get Creative?
“So [pick No.] 33, we know how valuable it is, but we have seen it over the years where teams will say I will give you a first-round pick in 2027. Now the Jets already have three first-round picks in 2027 … I mean, what do you think about the scenario there?” Jets senior reporter Eric Allen asked NBC Sports draft analyst Connor Rogers.
“It’s tough to say no. Now this is where collaboration is so important, where AG [Aaron Glenn] will have a feel for the roster and where they need to add,” Rogers explained. “If they felt like the roster was in a place that it was competitive enough going forward that they can wait, it’s tough to say no to that scenario. Think about how the Rams are feeling after acquiring that Atlanta first-round pick last year.”
There isn’t a history of that transpiring specifically with the 33rd overall pick, but there is a first time for everything.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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