5 sneaky trade deadline targets the Jets should have on their radar

The New York Jets are one of a number of teams expected to be active ahead of today's NFL trade deadline. Jets general manager Darren Mougey has already made a few trades in his time with the organization, most recently swapping nickel cornerback Michael Carter II for wide receiver John Metchie last week.

Mougey likely isn't done exploring opportunities on the trade market. But while most expect the Jets to be sellers, with players like Quincy Williams, Breece Hall, and Jermaine Johnson possibly on the way out, the team could also look to make an addition or two.

The Jets have acquired the likes of Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, and Jarvis Brownlee in trades over the last few months, and all three players have managed to make positive impacts in their brief time with the team.

Could the Jets go shopping for another low-cost, high-upside castoff from another team? If they do, here are five realistic trade candidates the Jets could consider.

Realistic Jets targets for the NFL trade deadline

1. WR Adonai Mitchell, Indianapolis Colts

The Jets already added one receiver in John Metchie, but that doesn't mean they won't be in the market for another. Adonai Mitchell is exactly the kind of player this Jets regime should be considering.

A second-round pick in 2024, Mitchell has flashed his big-play potential at the NFL level, most recently on what should have been a 76-yard touchdown in a Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year.

Instead, Mitchell accidentally dropped the ball short of the goal line, resulting in a touchback for his team. Since then, the former Texas star has either been a healthy scratch or played fewer than 10% of snaps in every game his team has played.

The Colts seem ready to move on, while Mitchell is desperate for a fresh start. The Jets could provide him with a golden opportunity to carve out a role in a wide-open wide receiver room.

Mitchell would also fit the pattern of the Briggs and Brownlee trades, giving the Jets another young player with more than two years of affordable team control left on his deal.

2. WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Another more high-profile receiver who could make some sense for the Jets is Jauan Jennings. Jennings is in the final year of his contract and requested a trade out of San Francisco earlier this summer.

The 49ers ultimately opted against fulfilling his wishes and seem to be trending toward keeping him at this stage. Still, his production has declined significantly in 2025 following a breakout 2024 season that saw him finish with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns.

Jennings would immediately give the Jets a big-bodied WR2 to complement Garrett Wilson, and he’s the type of player the team could look to extend and keep beyond this season

Our Mike Luciano recently proposed a trade that would send linebacker Quincy Williams to the 49ers in exchange for Jennings. It’s an idea worth considering and could prove mutually beneficial for both teams.

3. OL Brandon Coleman, Washington Commanders

The Jets could also look to add some young offensive line depth in the form of former Washington Commanders third-round pick Brandon Coleman. Coleman started 12 games at left tackle as a rookie before shifting over to left guard to start this season.

However, Coleman was surprisingly benched in favor of Chris Paul after just two games and seems to have quickly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. Much like Mitchell, he also has over two years remaining on his rookie contract.

Coleman has extensive starting experience as both a tackle and guard, and could provide much-needed depth and potential insurance for 2026 with John Simpson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Josh Myers headed for free agency.

4. LB Cody Barton, Tennessee Titans

If the Jets move on from Quincy Williams, it might make sense to search for his potential short or long-term replacement on the trade market. One player who could make sense is veteran Cody Barton.

Barton signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Titans this offseason, but the 28-year-old has struggled to find his footing in Nashville. Then again, almost everyone on Tennessee’s defense has underperformed this year, so there’s likely a bit of a Titans tax at play.

At 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, Barton would be a much better complement to Jamien Sherwood than Williams in the middle of the Jets’ defense, and his contract remains reasonably affordable for a veteran with over 100 career games of experience.

This would be similar to the Harrison Phillips trade, and with Tennessee in the midst of a bit of a fire sale, it’s entirely realistic to believe Barton could be had for a late-round pick. Barton and Sherwood could be the Jets' starting linebackers in 2026.

5. DE Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons

Arnold Ebiketie could be another intriguing low-cost target for the Jets at the trade deadline. The former second-round pick has seen his role decrease in Atlanta this season following the additions of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., but he’s shown legitimate pass-rush upside in the past.

From 2023 to 2024, Ebiketie recorded 12 sacks and 67 pressures, proving he can produce when given opportunities. The Jets are certainly a team that could use an upgrade over the likes of Micheal Clemons, Braiden McGregor, and Tyler Baron in their defensive end room.

With his rookie contract set to expire after this season and the Falcons reportedly taking calls on him, Ebiketie could be a sensible, low-risk addition to bolster the Jets' thin defensive end rotation.