The New York Jets have gotten off to an 0-5 start this season, so no one is expecting them to be buyers at the trade deadline. They could, however, sell off some pieces.

While running back Breece Hall is widely viewed as the Jets' most obvious trade candidate in the lead up to Nov. 4, Paul Esden Jr. of Heavy.com has pitched another potential trade piece for New York, and this one is much more serious: defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

"Quinnen Williams is the big kahuna. He could command the biggest return of any player on the Jets roster that could realistically be moved," Esden wrote. "... Williams has been playing well this season, but he is only one guy. The rest of the defense has struggled mightily. How much worse could it get shipping off Williams? This would bring back a future first and more for the green and white. Williams only has $5 million in future guarantees beyond this season left on his contract."

Williams is apparently seeking an adjusted contract on a deal that currently takes him through 2027, but the lack of guarantees is obviously an understandable sticking point for the three-time Pro Bowler.

The question is whether or not the Jets want to commit more money to him or move him now while his value is still sky high and recoup significant assets in return.

Williams, who played his collegiate football at the University of Alabama, was selected by New York with the third overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

After a relatively disappointing start to his career, the 27-year-old broke out in 2022, racking up 55 tackles, 12 sacks and a couple of forced fumbles en route to his first of three straight Pro Bowl appearances and a First-Team All-Pro selection.

Williams hasn't quite matched that production since, but he has remained one of the best interior defensive linemen in football and has logged 20 tackles, a sack and a pair of forced fumbles while managing an 81.1 overall grade at Pro Football Focus through five games in 2025.

The Birmingham, Al. native turns 28 in December, so if the Jets are going to trade him, now would be the best time to do it.

New York's defense has plummeted to 22nd in the NFL this season after being a top-four unit three years in a row, so clearly, something is amiss in the Big Apple.

Perhaps jettisoning Williams would be a great way to at least jumpstart a soft rebuild for the Jets. Remember: they already signed Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner to extensions, so those two stars aren't going anywhere.