Jets' Adonai Mitchell gamble could make or break blockbuster Sauce Gardner trade

The New York Jets' big 2025 fire sale has sent former All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, as Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn can now dip fully into fire sale mode.

Gardner was dealt not just for Indy's first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, but also wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who has found himself completely frozen out of the picture in a crowded room. The Jets will take on the responsibility of trying to take Mitchell and get him back on track.

The Jets have made themselves a haven for former top picks in need of a fresh start, as they have now acquired Mitchell, former Texans and Eagles wide receiver John Metchie, and former Cowboys top pick Mazi Smith in the last week. However, these developmental challenges come with some major challenges.

Mitchell could either be the WR2 the Jets have been looking for in the last few years, or he could be a bust who rode his draft status to another destination that doesn't have the task of turning him into a winning player.

Jets taking huge gamble by adding Adonai Mitchell in Sauce Gardner trade

Mitchell's stock within the league has fallen off cavernously since being drafted. After coming to Indy as a second-round pick, which was viewed by many as a steal, Mitchell has caught just 32 passes for 464 yards and failed to find the end zone. His most famous NFL moment is one he will want to forget.

In a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Mitchell turned what would have been a 70-yard touchdown into a career lowlight when the ball squirted out at the goal line, leading to a Colts turnover. Mitchell had just nine catches with a high-octane Indianapolis passing offense.

The Jets are betting on his speed and size meshing well with this offense, which is partially why they added another former top pick in Metchie. That could work in theory, but Mitchell has still not shown the ability to put those tools together in practice. Going from Jones to Justin Fields is not going to help him much either.

Mitchell is a lottery ticket, and even if he hits, the odds of him being comparable in value to anything Gardner provided during his tenure with the Jets are absurd. The Jets are opening themselves up for humiliation if Mitchell continues to struggle.