At 1-7, it was easy to imagine the New York Jets parting ways with players at the NFL trade deadline.
But it’s safe to say no one was ready for the absolute shockwave New York would send throughout the league.
Two defensive cornerstones are gone, cornerback Sauce Gardner is an Indianapolis Colt, and Quinnen Williams is a Dallas Cowboy.
A total of three first-round picks and a second-round pick are coming back to the Jets, along with defensive tackle Mazi Smith and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Did general manager Darren Mougey get value with his blockbuster deadline deals?
Or is New York foolish for parting with two former All-Pro players?
Jets Receive ‘A’ for Sauce Gardner Trade
According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, the New York Jets came away as winners from their trade with the Indianapolis Colts .
“This was a home run for the Jets, considering the four-year, $120.4 million contract Gardner was on and the compensation they received — two first-round picks and Mitchell, a second-round pick a year ago,” wrote Walder.
“Yes, they lose a cornerstone player. But this is a team that only cares about 2026 and beyond. The surplus value of two first-round picks is immense — who is to say that 2027 pick won’t be a high selection, either?”
Walder awarded the Jets an “A” grade, while handing the Colts a “D.”
Gardner is, of course, one of the top cornerbacks in all of football. But was he really helping the Jets turn their franchise around?
The answer is unfortunately no. The draft capital they received in the trade, first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, could be integral in finding New York a franchise quarterback.
Gardner was a great Jet, but saw his best years under former head coach Robert Saleh.
His inability to play closer to the line of scrimmage may be what made him expendable in Aaron Glenn’s preferred defensive scheme.
The addition of Mitchell is a nice consolation prize as well.
The Jets were severely lacking in the wide receiver department, and the former second-round pick has some untapped potential thanks to being buried in the Colts’ deep receiver room.
Jets Receive ‘A’ for Quinnen Williams Trade
The New York Jets’ second blockbuster trade saw them part ways with one of the longest tenured Jets, Williams.
However, Walder believes this was a home run for New York and a disaster for the Dallas Cowboys .
“There’s no other way to put it: this is a horrific trade for the Cowboys.”
“It is completely unfathomable for a team like Dallas to be trading away major draft resources for a soon-to-be-28-year-old defensive tackle on a salary-heavy contract in a season when they have a 7% chance to make the playoffs, per ESPN’s Football Power Index. And yet here we are.”
“The Jets probably cannot believe their fortune right now. By the time they are contenders again, it’s very possible Williams will be in decline. Now they can simultaneously save on Williams’ salary and turn him into serious draft assets — all at a time when it’s better for them, considering their need at quarterback, to tank.”
Walder awarded the Jets another “A” grade, while handing the Coqoboys an “F.”
It seems like the writing had been on the wall for some time between Williams and New York.
There were rumblings of a divorce leading up to the deadline, with more information coming out after the trade.
According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, Williams was unhappy with the team that drafted him third overall in 2019. He wanted to continue his career elsewhere.
The Jets granted him his wish and received quite the haul in the process.
New York has the Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2026, and the higher of their two first-round picks in 2027, along with former first-round defensive tackle Smith.
It will certainly be a tough pill to swallow losing two of the Jets’ most popular players, but the fact of the matter is they are better off in terms of future capital than they were when the day began.
And at least to Walder, they won both of the trades.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Jets Receive Trade Grades for Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams Deadline Deals appeared first on Heavy Sports .