NFL TRADE DEADLINE CHAMPIONS
Two weeks ago, I said the prudent thing for the Jets was to hold on to their eight key building blocks: Olu Fashanu, Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, Joe Tippmann, Quinnen Williams, and Garrett Wilson.
Of course, I had no idea how badly the Indianapolis Colts wanted Gardner, and the Dallas Cowboys wanted Williams. An anchor DT and a shutdown CB are premium NFL positions, but you rarely see teams willing to trade multiple first- and second-round picks for veteran talent.
Simply put, once an NFL team drafts a player, that player is like a brand-new automobile once you drive it off the lot. Their value immediately plummets.
You certainly can say that franchise QBs are an exception, but until Kansas City decides to trade Patrick Mahomes in his prime, we have to look to other examples instead. For instance, when Williams was drafted by the Jets in 2019 with the third overall pick, he was immediately teamed at DT alongside another former Top 6 pick Leonard Williams.
Leonard had good years with the Jets, including a trip to the Pro Bowl. But before Quinnen’s rookie season was half-over, Leonard, only 25 at the time, was traded to the New York Giants for just a third- and fifth-round draft pick.
The Jets told us that they weren’t actively looking to trade any of their stars, but they would pick up the phone and listen. At 1-7, they really had no choice but to accept these offers. They gained three first-round picks, a second-round pick, and took fliers on two disappointing former picks in DT Mazi Smith (selected 26th overall by the Cowboys in 2023), and WR AD Mitchell (selected 52nd overall by the Colts in 2024).
It’s been 15 seasons since they won anything consequential, but yesterday was a good day for the franchise. Winning the NFL Trade Deadline is a start. Now, it’s up to GM Darren Mougey and HC Aaron Glenn to use their new assets wisely.
JOE TIPPMANN
When I posted my list of building blocks, some of you questioned how I could include Joe Tippmann. Well, the truth is he would’ve been lower on the list if Breece Hall was signed beyond this season and Alijah Vera-Tucker was healthy.
Through 8 games at RG, Tippmann has a 59.3 overall PFF average, good for 42nd place among the 78 eligible NFL guards. That’s clearly average. Last year, he had a 73.4 overall PFF grade, good for 6th place among all NFL centers.
Center has traditionally been one of the Jets’ strengths: Joe Namath had John Schmitt. Richard Todd and Ken O’Brien had Joe Fields. Vinny Testaverde and Chad Pennington had Kevin Mawae. Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez had the late, great Nick Mangold.
From my seat in front of my television, I want the Jets to build behind their two bookend tackles (Fashanu and Membou) and Tippmann at center. That’s why I would urge OC Tanner Engstrand to flip C Josh Myers and G Tippmann.
No matter what Aaron Glenn said in his “day after the deadline” press conference, the rest of the season is not about winning; it’s about building for the future. The 27-year-old Myers is on an expiring contract and currently has a 59.6 overall PFF grade — ranking 26th out of 35 eligible centers.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Tippmann, who flashed star potential at center in 2024, has a year remaining on his rookie contract. Just like saying yes to the Colts’ and Cowboys’ offers, flipping Myers and Tippmann is a no-brainer for the Jets’ future.
SMOOTH BUT NOT VERY SPICY
Sauce Gardner arrived in New York with the splashy nickname and customized chains. If he was simply known as Ahmad, had he been compared to James Hasty rather than Darrelle Revis, I would be the first to say that he lived up to expectations. Instead, he leaves the Big Apple with us wanting more.
There’s no doubt that the Colts are acquiring one of the best cover corners in the NFL, but he’s an average tackler… at best. More importantly, while shutting down a receiver is inherently impactful, he failed to make momentum-changing plays. In 55 games, Gardner had three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one sack. He made All-Pro twice and participated in the Pro Bowl skills competition both years.
But if he wants to be fitted for a gold jacket — like he says here in this entertaining Q&A with the New York Post’s Steve Serby — he’ll need to start living up to his nickname — and the price the Colts paid to acquire him.
GAMES OF INTEREST
The Jets host the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at 1p on CBS. Here’s some other games with Jets storylines:
Thursday
8:15p Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos (PRIME) — Raiders have only two wins in the battle for the first overall pick.
Saturday
12:00n Indiana Hoosiers at Penn State Nittany Lions (FOX) — Indiana is led by QB Fernando Mendoza who is currently Mel Kiper Jr’s second-ranked QB prospect.
3:30p Oregon Ducks at Iowa Hawkeyes (CBS) — Oregon is led by QB Dante Moore who is currently Mel Kiper Jr’s top-ranked QB prospect.
7:30p LSU at Alabama (ABC) — Bama is led by QB Ty Simpson who is currently Mel Kiper Jr’s third-ranked QB prospect.
Sunday
1:00p Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts — Sauce Gardner’s Colts debut.
1:00p New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers — Saints have only one win in the battle for the first overall pick.
1:00p Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins — Dolphins have only two wins in the battle for the first overall pick.
1:00p New York Giants at Chicago Bears (FOX) — Giants have only two wins in the battle for the first overall pick.
Monday
8:15p Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (ABC/ESPN) — Michael Carter II’s Eagles debut.