New York Jets fans are seasoned veterans when it comes to rooting for draft position. They know all the ins and outs of how to climb the board.

This season, Jets fans have the rare privilege of rooting for two teams to climb the draft board. In addition to their own pick, the Jets own the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 first-round selection, acquired in the Sauce Gardner trade.

When the Jets acquired the Colts’ pick, it was on track to land in the low 20s, possibly even the high 30s. Indianapolis was 7-2, tied for the best record in the NFL. With the addition of Gardner to a squad that already boasted a league-best +109 point differential, the Colts seemed poised to make a legitimate Super Bowl push.

What has followed is an epic collapse that has left the city of Indianapolis pinning its hopes on a 44-year-old grandpa.

The Colts are 1-3 since the Gardner trade and have dropped out of the playoff picture entirely. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones is out for the year with an Achilles tear, while Gardner has been absent with a calf injury. With the hardest remaining schedule in the NFL (.692), things are looking bleak.

One team’s misery is another team’s glory. As Colts fans descend further into sadness, Jets fans begin to see a tiny bit more light at the end of the tunnel they’ve been stuck in for 15 years.

As of today, the Colts’ first-round pick is projected to land in the No. 18 slot, which goes to the best team outside of the playoff picture. It’s already a jump of more than 10 slots compared to the pick’s initial projection when the Jets acquired it.

Given the Colts’ outlook, though, it’s fair to wonder how much further their pick can climb.

We’re here to give you that answer.

What is the ceiling for Indianapolis’ first-round pick?

The worst record Indianapolis can finish with is 8-9. Considering they will be playing at Seattle (10-3), vs. San Francisco (9-4), vs. Jacksonville (9-4), and at Houston (8-5), possibly led by someone’s grandfather, it is a highly feasible outcome.

At 8-9, the Colts’ win percentage would be .470, which, based on current win percentages, is projected to land them in the No. 15 slot.

9. Cincinnati: 4-9 (.308)

10. LA Rams, via Atlanta: 5-9 (.357)

11. Minnesota: 5-8 (.385)

12. Miami: 6-7 (.462) / .484 SOS

13. Baltimore: 6-7 (.462) / .509 SOS

14. Kansas City: 6-7 (.462) / .514 SOS

Projected: Indianapolis: 8-9 (.470)

15. Tampa Bay: 7-7 (.500)

16. Dallas: 6-6-1 (.500)

17. Detroit: 8-5 (.615)

It is worth noting that there are currently three 6-7 teams, a record that essentially puts them on pace for an 8-9 record, which would tie the Colts for the 12th pick.

However, the Colts’ strength-of-schedule at the moment (.523) is higher than all three of those squads, which would land them fourth in the tiebreaker and keep them at No. 15. That is subject to change, but as the season approaches its end, strength-of-schedule numbers budge less and less.

Realistically, this means that Indy’s likely ceiling is the No. 15 slot. Conceivably, they could go much higher.

If everything broke the Jets’ way, the highest Indianapolis’ pick could go is the No. 9 slot. It would take a perfect storm, though, so don’t count on it.

Most likely, if the Colts finish 8-9, we should expect their pick to land somewhere around No. 15, give or take a couple of slots.

For a Jets team that needs all the help it can get, a pair of top-15 picks would go a long way.