The New York Jets have made significant trades involving star defensive players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, aiming to revamp their team and break their long-standing playoff drought. Gardner, a standout cornerback, has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Meanwhile, Williams is set to move to the Dallas Cowboys in return for a second-round pick in 2026, a first-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The Jets will receive the Colts’ first-round selections in 2026 and 2027, with the better of the Cowboys’ first-round picks in 2027 coming their way as well. These moves come as the Cowboys seek to strengthen their defense, currently ranked second-worst in the NFL.
In addition to these trades, the Cowboys have acquired linebacker Logan Wilson from the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jacksonville Jaguars have secured wide receiver Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Seattle Seahawks have added wideout Rashid Shaheed from the New Orleans Saints.
Gardner, a two-time All-Pro and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, signed a lucrative contract extension with the Jets earlier this year before being traded to the Colts. Williams, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2022 All-Pro, is expected to bring his talent to the Cowboys’ defensive line.
The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, have also been active leading up to the trade deadline, acquiring edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander to enhance their roster. The Baltimore Ravens have bolstered their defense by adding edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans.
These trades follow a series of earlier moves in the NFL, including Joe Flacco joining the Bengals, cornerback Roger McCreary going to the Rams, and safety Kyle Dugger being traded to the Steelers, among others. The league’s trade activity has been robust ahead of the deadline, with teams making key acquisitions to strengthen their rosters.