Jets fans owe Robert Saleh an unexpected 'thank you' after Titans stun Colts

We’ve admittedly spent far too much time criticizing former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, whose first year with the Tennessee Titans has already been nothing short of disastrous. 

But we also see ourselves as fair, objective analysts, so we’ll give Saleh his flowers for Sunday’s stunning victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Despite another dreadful day from embattled quarterback Cam Ward, the Titans rattled off 26 second-half points to avoid becoming the NFL’s first 0-17 team.

Tennessee’s win also significantly helped the Jets, who acquired the Colts’ 2027 first-round pick in last November’s Sauce Gardner trade. As of October 19, the Jets would pick No. 6 (via Dallas), No. 10 (via Indianapolis), and No. 13 next spring. The Colts are also clearly looking ahead to next year after firing longtime general manager Chris Ballard on Monday.

Amid a 2-4 start and the growing questions about Aaron Glenn’s future, can you blame Jets fans for already turning their attention to the draft?

What positions must the New York Jets address in the 2027 NFL Draft?

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: quarterback. Texas star Arch Manning is playing his way out of the 2027 draft’s first round, assuming that he doesn’t return for his redshirt senior season. We’re not even sure he’ll play next year at Texas, especially if Steve Sarkisian benches him after consecutive losses. 

Speculation is already mounting about the Jets pursuing Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, and we’re vehemently against drafting Oregon’s Dante Moore given his concussion-related indefinite absence. But with three first-round picks, could the Jets potentially trade two of them for an established quarterback?

You have to think the Dolphins (No. 2) will be in the market for a quarterback, and we’re skeptical the Buccaneers (No. 4) would take Baker Mayfield’s eventual replacement that early. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, a former North Texas walk-on quarterback who primarily kicked and punted in high school, has emerged as a potential top-five pick as he continues to shred opposing defenses. 

Rookie wideout Omar Cooper Jr. shined on Sunday, and how he fares over the coming months could change our personal opinion on adding another first-round receiver. We feel similarly about cornerback, though Pro Football Focus recently suggested the Jets target Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV. 

Keep your eyes on safety, though. Minkah Fitzpatrick turns 30 next month, and Dane Belton is on a one-year deal. ESPN’s Mel Kiper listed Notre Dame’s Brauntae Johnson and California’s Kingston Lopa as his top 2027 safeties, though neither cracked his recent big board.

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