Breaking down the biggest moves from the 2026 NFL trade deadline
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes recaps the biggest moves from the 2026 NFL trade deadline.
“The New York Jets are on the clock…”
Get used to hearing that, especially after the team’s work ahead of the NFL trade deadline. GM Darren Mougey rocked the NFL world with a sell-off on Nov. 4 that included sending both Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams out of town.
While those moves sent shockwaves through the league, they also armed Mougey and the Jets with ample draft capital going forward.
New York’s total haul includes three first-round picks, a second-round pick, WR Adonai Mitchell and DT Mazi Smith from those two deals.
For a team that is likely headed for a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, acquiring additional flexibility is key. The Jets lost a lot of value in terms of the names that were dealt, but the reality is that they weren’t winning with Gardner and Williams.
As the late-Pittsburgh Pirates GM Branch Rickey once told the late-Ralph Kiner, “We finished last with you, we can finish last without you.”
Whether that was Mougey’s motivation is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear he is remaking the team in his vision with Aaron Glenn.
The Jets’ regime now has the ingredients in place to snap that ugly streak. It’s up to them to make an edible meal. Here’s a look at the Jets’ picks in the upcoming drafts.
Future Jets NFL draft picksJets 2026 NFL Draft picksRound 1 (own)Round 1 (via Colts)Round 2 (own)Round 2 (via Cowboys)Round 4 (own)Round 6 (via Bills)Round 7 (via Titans)Round 7 (via Bills)Jets 2027 NFL Draft picksRound 1 (own)Round 1 (via Colts)Round 1 (via Cowboys)Round 2 (own)Round 3 (own)Round 4 (own)Round 5 (own)Round 6 (via Chiefs)Round 6 (via Eagles)