Connor Rogers' draft day trade frenzy would have Jets fans buzzing for 2026

The New York Jets have a rare opportunity in front of them to turn the franchise around. It's not every year a team holds four picks in the first two rounds, let alone four top-44 picks.

New York's roster needs are fairly clear. They need a pass rusher, a few extra receivers, and another starting-caliber safety. The Jets can address all of those holes in the 2026 NFL Draft with young talent, but how can they maximize their assets and put a winner on the field as soon as possible?

Well, co-host of the Badlands podcast, Connor Rogers, had a "galaxy brain" idea that would see the Jets swing multiple franchise-altering trades and bring in players who can help the Jets win in 2026.

Connor Rogers' 'galaxy brain' trades turn the Jets into an instant winner

To start this incredibly fun thought exercise, the Jets select Arvell Reese with the No. 2 overall pick, addressing their need for some pass rush juice and bringing in the player with the most upside in the 2026 draft class.

Then, the Jets make their first trade, sending the two picks they received in the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades (No. 16 and No. 44) to the Kansas City Chiefs for pick No. 9, allowing them to select another Ohio State defender, Caleb Downs.

Yes, the Jets already made a trade for a safety this offseason, bringing Minkah Fitzpatrick over from the Miami Dolphins right before the start of the legal tampering period. But from the former Alabama star's recent comments, it seems like Fitzpatrick will mostly be playing out of the nickel in 2026, something he did and excelled at with the Dolphins last season.

Adding Downs into the mix turns what has been one of the Jets' biggest weaknesses over the last few years into a strength, making the back end of New York's defense a terrifying force. Downs has the versatility to play all over the place and would be a weapon for Aaron Glenn and new DC Brian Duker.

Next, Rogers has the Jets turning pick No. 33 into another second and third-round pick. He doesn't list a specific team, but for this scenario, we'll say quarterback Ty Simpson slid out of the first round, and the Cleveland Browns move up to grab their hopeful franchise quarterback.

But the Jets aren't done yet, and they flip that brand new third-round pick from the Browns to the Jacksonville Jaguars, swinging a trade for maligned wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. New York has reportedly had interest in the former first-round pick since last year's trade deadline, and they finally make a deal for the LSU standout.

Adding Thomas gives the Jets their best No. 2 option across from Garrett Wilson since the 11 games they got out of Davante Adams in 2024. The former 23rd overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft fell out of favor in Jacksonville last season after hauling in 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns his rookie season.

Even after all that dealing, the Jets still have the 39th pick in the second round, and they can use it as they see fit. Rogers has New York targeting Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard with that selection, but it could really go in any direction.

Maybe one of the more talented guards is still available, such as Texas A&M's Chase Bisontis or Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon, giving the Jets another foundational piece for their offensive line.

Either way, after a draft like this, Jets fans would be buzzing in anticipation for the 2026 season, and would certainly go a long way in saving jobs and providing hope for New York's usually murky future.