The New York Jets pulled off some massive trades ahead of the NFL trade deadline, sending cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster deals.
While Gardner just signed an extension with the Jets in the offseason, New York’s disappointing start to the season likely led to a change of heart. The cornerback was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and is signed through the 2029 season on a $120 million extension.
Williams, meanwhile, has two years left on his contract after this season, and is one of the most consistent players in the league. His move is less of a shock than Gardner’s, but still is a signal of a change in New York.
The trades mean the Jets are committed to a full rebuild as they stockpile picks for the future. Here’s a breakdown of what this trade means for the Jets’ draft outlook.
MORE NFL TRADE DEADLINE:
Sauce Gardner trade details
Colts receive
Jets receive
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2027 first-round pick
- WR AD Mitchell
Indianapolis sent the Jets a large package for Gardner, giving up their next two first-round picks to acquire the star cornerback. Additionally, the Jets receive AD Mitchell as part of the deal; the young wide receiver has a year and a half left on his contract.
Quinnen Williams trade details
Cowboys receive:
Jets receive:
- 2026 second-round pick
- 2027 first-round pick
- DT Mazi Smith
The Williams trade is a similar deal, as the Cowboys send the Jets two high picks and a player for the defensive tackle. The 2027 pick will be whichever pick is higher between the Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.
Williams had been with the Jets since 2019 and was consistently an anchor on their defensive line.
Jets draft picks 2026
- Round 1, 2026
- Round 1, 2026 via Colts
- Round 2, 2026
- Round 2, 2026 via Cowboys
- Round 4, 2026
- Round 6, 2026 via Bills
- Round 7, 2026 via Titans
- Round 7, 2026 via Bills
The Jets traded their third-round pick this year as part of the Haason Reddick trade in 2024, but otherwise they have a solid stockpile of picks in 2026. New York’s own first-rounder should be a top pick, and the Colts’ first-rounder will be in the back half of the round this year.
Jets draft picks 2027
- Round 1, 2027
- Round 1, 2027 via Colts
- Round 1, 2027 via Cowboys
- Round 2, 2027
- Round 3, 2027
- Round 4, 2027
- Round 5, 2027
- Round 6, 2027
- Round 6, 2027 via Chiefs (Conditional)
- Round 6, 2027 via Eagles (Conditional)
