The New York Jets had a quiet 2026 trade deadline, making just one move, but a team directly tied to them conducted a fire sale: the Indianapolis Colts.
In total, the Colts traded away four starters for six draft picks. That includes arguably their two best players, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, who were also team captains.
The 2-7 Colts are in all-out tank mode, but there’s only one problem: Their 2027 first-round pick belongs to the New York Jets, courtesy of last year’s Sauce Gardner trade.
With the Colts having gutted their roster, Jets fans are eyeing a pursuit of the first overall pick by way of Indianapolis. But trouble in South Beach could throw a wrench into those plans.
Dolphins’ QB situation shakes things up
According to the team, Miami has placed starting quarterback Malik Willis on injured reserve with a groin injury.
Willis’ injury means the Dolphins will turn to Syracuse product Kyle McCord at quarterback, a 2025 sixth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers.
How does this affect the Jets, you ask?
Well, take a look at Miami’s upcoming opponent: the Indianapolis Colts.
In Week 10, the 1-7 Dolphins (No. 3 draft slot) will visit the 2-7 Colts (No. 4) in a pivotal battle for draft position. As abysmal as the Colts’ roster now looks on paper, they will be playing at home against a sixth-round quarterback making his NFL debut. It’s a game that Indianapolis could certainly win; they are currently listed as 2.5-point favorites.
The Jets, meanwhile, will play host to the Buffalo Bills in a game that currently has Buffalo as 8.5-point road favorites. All Jets fans, though, will have their eyes on that crucial Dolphins-Colts game as New York eyes a push for the top of the draft board, a race that, if the Jets can’t figure out their own struggles, they will have two horses in.
