Jets Viewed as 'Buyers' with NFL Trade Deadline Approaching
If the New York Jets are thinking about a run at the playoffs, they could look to add a helping hand, or two, prior to Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
Featuring a big-play defense and a winning record through seven games, the Jets are certainly "in the hunt" early on and have a chance to boost their chances of contending by making a deadline deal.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Conor Orr named seven AFC teams who "should be buying based on what happened Sunday [Week 8]" and the Jets appeared on the list. The Green & White joined the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins amongst the group of "buyers."
The Jets have already made one trade this month, sending slot receiver Mecole Hardman to the Kansas City Chiefs while exchanging late-round 2025 draft picks.
With the trade window closing, general manager Joe Douglas has likely turned his attention to adding reinforcements. Gang Green has no backup offensive guards following Sunday's carnage. Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh isn't confident that the team can find an answer to its offensive line shortage on the trade market.
"You like reinforcements, but no one’s trading offensive linemen. They are so scarce throughout the League," said Saleh on Monday in Florham Park.
A receiver which can stretch the field opposite WR1 Garrett Wilson also makes sense as a possible trade target. The Jets moved to 4-3 overall by pulling out a 13-10 overtime win over the New York Giants on October 29, but the offense, which has scored only eight touchdowns all season, could use a boost.
From Week 8 Clarifies Which Teams Should Be Buying:
Jets
Why they should buy: My thoughts on the Jets (4–3) are two-tiered. They should be trying to make the playoffs this year, and they should also be flooding the trade market for 2025 free agents in order to bolster their roster for the following season, which should carry all the hype and expectation initially brought by the 2023 season. The Jets are likely not going to have a good enough draft position to find themselves a difference-maker in late April and are drifting into this territory where the team could make the playoffs and hand the ball back to a miraculously recovered Aaron Rodgers in time for the end of the season. So, it’s time to make some economically wise decisions and build the roster into a more fortified entity for January, but more importantly, beyond.
What does New York need: Offensive line help, not only on the outside, but after seeing the roster dwindle to its third-string center Sunday, just about everywhere. Robert Saleh needs a constant hockey rotation of pass rushers. The Jets also need another receiver to compliment Garrett Wilson. Zach Wilson is still developing into a win-with quarterback, but a weapons overload is one way to accelerate that process.
— Conor Orr
READ MORE:
Mecole Hardman's Already Gone, Veteran Defensive End Next?
Two Interior Offensive Linemen Heading to IR, Jets Severely Shorthanded
