NFL

Jets trade Washington, release Faneca

The Jets today traded Leon Washington and reportedly have released guard Alan Faneca, after drafting a versatile running back and an offensive lineman this weekend.

Washington, a Pro Bowl kick returner two seasons ago who broke his leg last year, was sent to the Seahawks with a seventh-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

The Jets earlier traded up to draft USC running back Joe McKnight in the fourth round, then used the fifth-round pick on Kentucky fullback John Conner.

Washington sat out the early part of the Jets’ offseason workouts while looking for a free-agent offer, which upset coach Rex Ryan. The Jets earlier parted with running back Thomas Jones and signed free agent LaDainian Tomlinson.

According to NJ.com, GM Mike Tannenbaum said it was going to be “We have to make the hard decisions. And the hard decision was that long term, it would have been hard to keep (Leon). Really hard,” Tannenbaum told NJ.com. “We felt that once we had Joe, we could move on from Leon.”

Tannenbaum told ESPN.com that he did not know if Leon would be recovered in time for opening day, contradicting a forecast he made two weeks ago.

ESPN.com reports the team released Faneca this morning, after drafting UMass lineman Vladmir Lacasse on Friday night.

Faneca, 32, had a high-priced contract ($7.5 million this season) and despite making the Pro Bowl again last season, his play is believed to have slipped. The report says the Jets had been trying to trade Faneca for weeks.

The Jets chose Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson in the first round.