Just a year ago, the New York Jets struck a blockbuster trade with the Indianapolis Colts, sending Sauce Gardner to Indy in exchange for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.
Could the two sides make yet another high-profile deal a year later?
The league’s trade deadline, set for Nov. 10, is approaching quickly, and the Colts find themselves in a tough spot. They are 2-4, and momentum is nowhere near their side after they handed the Tennessee Titans their first win of the season last week.
They also fired Chris Ballard this week, their general manager for nearly 10 years. So, things aren’t exactly going according to plan with the Colts.
Given their situation, they may look to sell off some of their veteran pieces over the next few weeks. One of those veterans could be All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Indy has already received “strong trade interest” in Nelson, and “no player is expected to be off limits if they decide to sell before the deadline.”
If the Colts do decide to enter selling mode, would it make sense for the Jets to pursue Nelson?
Is Nelson worth it for the Jets?
Nelson may be 30 years old, but he is still playing at an elite level.
Over six games this season, he has earned an 89.2 overall grade at Pro Football Focus, ranking first among 74 qualified guards. He ranks third in run-blocking (88.3) and fifth in pass-protection (79.6).
Across 248 pass-blocking snaps this year, Nelson has allowed just six pressures and zero sacks while only being flagged once so far. Those are outstanding numbers.
Overall, his track record in the league has been incredible. Since Nelson was drafted sixth overall in 2018, he has earned eight Pro Bowl selections and six combined All-Pro seasons, including three first-team and three second-team selections.
Above all, Nelson has been highly durable. Since entering the league, he has started 135 of 139 possible games, missing only four in 2021, and has started every matchup since he was drafted. Simply put, he’s been about as reliable as it gets.
If the Jets add Nelson, it would completely change their offensive line outlook.
Despite some promising individual showings, the Jets’ current OL has been up and down this season. Dylan Parham’s absence hasn’t helped, but the group has also struggled to consistently protect Geno Smith, especially in high-leverage moments, and its run-blocking quality has shifted week to week.
To accommodate Nelson, though, the Jets would have to shift some positions around. They would be best served transitioning Joe Tippmann back to center, where he’s found the most success since being drafted in 2022, while Parham could slide to right guard, where he already has NFL experience, and Josh Myers would shift to the role that fits him best: a primary backup.
Nevertheless, adding Nelson would be a drastic improvement for the Jets up front. If you add him into the fold and make those changes, the OL looks much better than it did before. He’s the type of player who can take the unit to a whole new level.
Now, here comes the big question: would a trade actually make sense? Things start to get a little more complicated here.
As talented and valuable as Nelson is, the Jets aren’t exactly in a position to start throwing premium draft picks around at the deadline. They own five first-round picks over the next two years, two of which are Indy’s original selections from the Gardner trade.
Still, that’s no excuse to toss them on the trade market. The organization needs to keep building through the draft and, at some point, invest one of those selections in a top-tier quarterback.
Nelson’s contract situation also matters. He’s playing out the final season of a four-year, $80 million extension he signed with the Colts in 2022. After the season ends, Nelson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. So, esentially, no team is trading for him just to be a rental.
With that in mind, teams need to bargain for a long-term commitment along with what they would have to trade for him in the first place. Still, don’t forget: he’s one of the best at his position in the league.
For the Jets, the biggest question is the asking price. There is a case to be made that he could be worth a second-rounder, but even that is a big investment by the Jets, who aren’t a guard away from being a playoff team. They have more holes to fill in the draft, and it feels like having a second-round pick is important this year.
If the Colts are willing to discuss a third-round selection, though, that’s much more favorable for the Jets. Nelson is one of those rare players who could make an immediate difference while also fitting into the team’s long-term plans.
The Jets shouldn’t overpay or jeopardize their long-term vision to make it happen, but if the price is right, Nelson is absolutely worth pursuing.
