New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey was very active at the trade deadline.
The New York Jets brought in a new regime this offseason by hiring general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn.
It hasn't taken long for Mougey to enact his vision for the Jets. On the day of the trade deadline, Mougey parted with not one but both defensive superstars. They sent All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and the Jets for wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and two first-round picks.
New York also traded away All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for defensive tackle Mazi Smith, a 2027 first-round pick (higher of Cowboys or Green Bay Packers), and a 2026 second-round pick.
The 1-7 Jets are clearly far away from competing, but these deals come with risk. While they secured a haul of draft capital and intriguing young players in Mitchell and Smith, they will now need to hit on their draft picks to make the trades worthwhile in the end.
Mitchell, a 2024 second-round pick by the Colts, has yet to develop into a reliable weapon. Across his 25 career games, the 23-year-old wideout has hauled in 32 receptions for 464 yards and no touchdowns.
With the Jets, Mitchell could emerge as the wide receiver two of the future opposite Garrett Wilson. He will get plenty of snaps for a Jets offense that is desperate to find another reliable pass-catcher.
Smith, the Cowboys' 2023 first-round pick, will also have a major opportunity in New York. He has struggled in his first three seasons, posting just two sacks and seven tackles for loss in his career. With Williams on the way out, Smith has the opportunity to fill the void and live up to his potential.
The Jets also made a few minor moves ahead of the deadline. They sent a conditional 2028 seventh-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for defensive back Ja'Sir Taylor.
They also acquired wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick for cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The Jets also acquired cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. from the Tennessee Titans and a 2026 seventh-round pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
New York has acquired a number of low-risk, high-reward young players who could break out with a bigger role.
More importantly, Mougey and the Jets now own five first-round picks over the next two seasons. This allows their new general manager to build the team his way as he navigates them through a rebuild.