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4 takeaways from Jets' major trade with Colts for No. 3 pick

Jeff Gross / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New York Jets sent the first major shockwave through the 2018 NFL Draft by acquiring the No. 3 overall pick from the Colts on Saturday, sending the No. 6 overall selection and three second-rounders to Indy in exchange.

The move is sure to have wide-reaching effects around the league, but here are four early takeaways from the blockbuster trade:

Jets rate top QB prospects equally

Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield are generally considered the top four quarterback prospects in the draft (though Lamar Jackson has passionate fans). New York's move is clearly for a quarterback; teams simply don't deal premium assets not to select a franchise-changing player, and the Jets have had serious questions under center for years.

But, by only jumping up to No. 3 overall, the Jets are unlikely to land whichever QB sits at the top of the draft board. The Cleveland Browns are all but certain to take a passer and it's also not impossible to think the New York Giants will fall in love with a prospect between now and April 26, even with the team supporting Eli Manning.

It's clear New York is confident that either their desired QB - perhaps Mayfield, who would be an instant superstar in The Big Apple - will be available, or they have near-identical grades on the top prospects and are happy with whoever they select at their newly acquired draft slot.

No. 2 overall pick becomes major question mark

The problem for the Jets, however, is the organization just sent a clear message to the rest of the league that at least two quarterbacks are going in the first three selections.

And in doing so, New York shines the trade-up spotlight onto their neighbors, the Giants, who own the No. 2 overall pick. Any other QB-needy team that was seeking a trade into the top five - the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, the likely candidates - will probably now be calling the Giants to inquire about the cost of jumping the Jets.

And why wouldn't the Giants listen, considering the haul Indy received.

As previously mentioned, it's possible this doesn't matter to the Jets, who are guaranteed to get one of the top four quarterbacks. But the Giants - maybe partly out of spite of their rivals - could be more tempted to draft a quarterback at No. 2 or trade down with the likes of Denver for an equal haul of picks. Or they could draft Saquon Barkley - anything is possible.

The 2018 draft could change completely depending on this pick.

Colts fleeced the Jets

The Colts look like the big winners of this trade upon initial examination.

The Jets paid heavily to move up just three spots, proving there truly is quarterback tax when it comes to draft trade-ups.

Of course, if New York ends up selecting a quarterback who turns into a franchise player, the price will be forgotten. The Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles presumably have zero regrets about their 2016 trade-ups to grab Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, respectively.

Still, it was a risky and aggressive move for New York, but likely one that needed to happen after whiffing on Christian Hackenberg and failing to convince Kirk Cousins to join them over the Minnesota Vikings.

Ballard's long-term plan comes into focus

The Colts' free-agency plan has been sharply criticized so far, with Indy unable to sign any big-name free agents. Only rotational pass-rusher Denico Autry has been brought in by second-year general manager Chris Ballard, who had the third-most cap space at his disposal entering free agency.

However, Ballard continuously stated that the Colts wouldn't pay premium prices for B-level players despite their ample cap space, and emphasized the team's desire to build through the draft and construct a roster capable of competing for a long time. Ballard added after the announcement of the trade that the move was ideal for the Colts because it still allows them to "get a premium player" while still being able to "replenish our young talent."

He isn't wrong. The likes of pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, and guard Quenton Nelson should still be on the board at No. 6 overall. Additionally, the Colts can now add two more impact players in the second round to help fill the many holes on their roster, as well as a second-rounder next season.

It might be one of the first major steps on the long path back to contention, but the Colts' plan has crystallized.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

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