Jets Insider Slams Door on Blockbuster $96 Million WR Trade

The New York Jets should be all over the wide receiver market right now and one prominent team insider gave the fanbase a bit of hope on that front.

There's no denying the fact that the wide receiver position is the Jets' biggest roster hole right now. The Jets obviously have a star on their hands in Garrett Wilson and a young guy who has a lot of upside in Adonai Mitchell, but the room itself is very thin. The Jets are one injury to Wilson away from the passing offense collapsing, just like it did last year.

Fortunately, ESPN's Rich Cimini not only said he thinks that a wide receiver trade is a "possibility" but that he thinks a "lower-level wide receiver trade" is coming. Cimini mentioned both Brian Thomas Jr. and Dontayvion Wicks as options, but also fully shut down the idea of AJ Brown coming to town on "Jets Collective." '

Who could the New York Jets add next?

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

"I think a trade has to be a possibility on draft weekend," Cimini said. "Some names have been out there. We talked about Brian Thomas. You've got Dontayvion Wicks from Green Bay. I think he could be available. I do think they will make a lower-level wide receiver trade. It's not going to be A.J. Brown or anything like that, but I think he is definitely looking to add in that room."

It shouldn't be any surprise that the Jets insider ruled out the idea of New York going after AJ Brown. There have been reports swirling about his future with the Philadelphia Eagles all offseason. He hasn't been moved yet, but the reported price tag is through the roof with some pointing to a first- and a second-round pick as starting points. That price tag actually stems from the price that the Jets got in the Quinnen Williams trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

Brown is a top-five receiver and already has a long-term contract after signing a three-year, $96 million extension. It would be awesome if he was in New York, but it's just not going to happen.

The Jets need a wide receiver, but not to the point of giving up a first- and a second-round pick. New York has too much work to do to offload that kind of draft capital.

With Thomas, he'd be a much better fit, but Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone publicly made it clear that the team isn't planning to trade him. With Wicks, he'd add more receiver depth to the offense, but arguably wouldn't be a big enough addition to really move the needle.

At this point, the Jets need to add another piece, but who should it be?