Jets Mock Trade: Colts Land 5-Year Veteran LB From New York

The Colts could look to target a young linebacker from the Jets in a big offseason trade...

New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) shouts a call to his teammates during an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. | Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Jets have made moves to build their defense in Aaron Glenn's vision all offseason. There are very few players from the pre-Glenn era who have found themselves safe on the roster.

But the defense looks much better right now than they did a year ago. They're trending in the right direction and there's a chance they could look to make even more moves, including a trade that would send linebacker Jamien Sherwood to the Indianapolis Colts.

Here's a mock trade that would work for both sides:

In this deal, the Jets would be landing a fourth round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft while the Colts would land Sherwood to help anchor their defense.

Why this makes sense for the Colts

Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) tackles Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (26) during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

For the Colts, this deal makes sense because their roster would get better. They're seemingly in win now mode, so they can't approach it with any mentality other than an 'all-in" mentality. That means trading a 2027 draft pick for a linebacker who can help them right now would make plenty of sense.

Sherwood is a very talented linebacker who has seen a bigger role on the Jets defense with each passing year. The Colts could use him as the anchor in the middle of their defense, though they will need to re-sign him after the 2027 season. Either way, this deal brings them a solid linebacker for at least two years.

Why this makes sense for the Jets

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Jets added Demario Davis this offseason and they should have plenty of opportunities to add a linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. On the off chance that Sonny Styles makes it to pick No. 16 (very, very unlikely), he would be the dream selection.

But there are plenty of NFL draft prospects who will be available in the second round and the Jets have two selections to work with. They have pick No. 33 and pick No. 44, which could be used on a linebacker prospect like Jacob Rodriguez or Jake Golday to help bolster the unit moving forward.

Adding some draft capital would continue to push the Jets in the direction they're going in. This deal would also clear some cap space. It could make sense for both sides ahead of the NFL draft.