The roster purge under new New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey continues.
Earlier this week, the New York Jets traded cornerback Michael Carter II to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wide receiver John Metchie III, and a late-round pick swap. The trade marks another significant moment in the Mougey era. The Jets are now left with just two players from Joe Douglas’ 2021 NFL draft class.
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The 2021 draft was supposed to be foundational for Douglas’ future as GM. He selected quarterback Zach Wilson at No. 2 overall. That failed miserably, with the Jets essentially pulling the plug two years into the experiment by acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2023.
Douglas mostly missed on that 2021 class. He selected Alijah Vera-Tucker at 14th overall, who is still with the East Rutherford-based club.
The majority of Douglas’ other picks whiffed in Wilson-like fashion. Wide receiver Elijah Moore was drafted at No. 34. Moore is already on his third team in 2025.
Running back Michael Carter was selected in the fourth round (not to be confused with the cornerback the Jets just traded, one of that year’s fifth-rounders). Douglas’ second (and final) 2021 success story was nabbing linebacker Jamien Sherwood in the fifth round.
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Cornerback Jason Pinnock was another fifth-rounder that year. Hamsah Nasirildeen, Brandin Echols, and Jonathan Marshall were the Jets’ final three picks. None remain with the team today.
Mougey and Aaron Glenn are rebuilding the roster in their vision. The Carter trade signals yet another move to scrub the roster of Douglas’ stink.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Michael Carter II trade left Jets with 2 players from 2021 draft class