The Jets didn’t make a splash at the deadline, but they may have come away with something better: a cleaner path to premium draft capital.
New York’s only midseason move was sending safety Andre Cisco elsewhere, and despite chatter around pass-rusher Will McDonald IV and attempts to link QB Geno Smith to the Vikings, the roster mostly stayed put. At 2-7, that kind of stand-pat approach doesn’t usually feel like a win. This time, though, the chaos around them did the heavy lifting.
The biggest boost came from Indianapolis. The Colts’ teardown matters a lot to the Jets because New York owns their first-round pick. Indianapolis didn’t move Jonathan Taylor, but it did lose Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Josh Downs, turning an already shaky team into one that figures to be an underdog in most of its remaining games.
Dallas helped, too, just in a quieter way. The Jets also own the Cowboys’ first-rounder, and after sending their own first-round pick to New York for Quinnen Williams a year ago, the Cowboys did nothing at the deadline. That leaves a flawed 4-5 team still facing the 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Jaguars without any meaningful upgrade to change the outlook.
For a Jets team that has already shifted its attention toward 2027 and beyond, that matters. Next April’s draft is the real prize, when New York will have three first-round picks and a chance to chase a franchise quarterback. The team’s own selection was already trending toward the top with only two wins, and while No. 1 may be a stretch, a top-five slot is very much in play.
As things stand, the Jets’ 2027 first-round haul looks like this:
No. 4 (from Colts)
No. 6 (own)
No. 13 (from Cowboys)
New York also owns the higher pick of the Cowboys and Packers, though Green Bay is two games ahead of Dallas right now, which makes it more likely the Cowboys’ pick ends up higher of the two. Even so, the setup is strong: two picks inside the top six and another at No. 13, giving the Jets a rare chance to make three first-round selections in the top half of the round.
That’s how a quiet deadline can still leave a team in a better spot than it was the day before.
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Caleb Downs Just Gave The Cowboys Something They Desperately Needed
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Downs also made life difficult whenever Indianapolis tried to test him in coverage, limiting the Colts success through the air and drawing the highest coverage grade among defenders in the game. For a Dallas defense that has been searching for steadier play, the rookies all-around impact stood out as one of the biggest reasons the Cowboys walked away with a much-needed close victory. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Face One Deadline Question Fans Know Too Well
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Dallas could also look beyond the pass rush if injuries create more need at cornerback, safety or linebacker, but the front offices attention appears to be on finding the right fit without overpaying. One thing the Cowboys do not appear interested in doing is moving wide receiver Jalen Pickens, despite the speculation that tends to follow any deadline conversation. For now, the familiar question remains whether Dallas will actually act before the clock runs out. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Suddenly Have A Running Back Depth Problem
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Millers path has been uneven since New Orleans drafted him in 2023, and he was released before Week 9 of this season. For Dallas, the question is less about long-term upside than whether he can provide enough immediate insurance while the backfield sorts itself out, especially with Goodson expected to miss time. [Read more 🡒]