This overlooked WR trade target makes too much sense for the Jets

The New York Jets surprised some fans when they opted against addressing their wide receiver room in any capacity in the 2026 NFL Draft. But despite the team's inaction to this point, it's safe to say the Jets aren't done adding to the position group.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported this week that while the Jets are expected to use one of their top four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on a receiver, there’s also a chance they could turn to the trade market for additional help.

Among the names that have come up in conversations are Jacksonville Jaguars star Brian Thomas Jr. and Green Bay Packers wideout Dontayvion Wicks. Thomas is the flashy option, but Wicks is probably the more realistic one.

And the more you look at it, the more it makes sense.

Dontayvion Wicks is an intriguing and realistic Jets trade target

Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell currently sit atop the Jets' wide receiver depth chart, but the depth behind them is essentially nonexistent. The Jets didn't address the position in free agency, which has only added to the belief that more help is coming. A rookie addition feels inevitable, but relying on just that rookie would be a gamble.

That’s where a move like Wicks comes into play. Still just 24 years old, Wicks is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could likely be acquired for a Day 3 pick. His role in Green Bay shrank last season, finishing with just 30 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns, but the context is important here.

The Packers have loaded up on young receivers, and Wicks has been squeezed out of a crowded rotation that includes Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and multiple recent draft picks in Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.

As a rookie in 2023, Wicks posted a career-best 605 yards and five touchdowns on 41 catches, flashing genuine upside as a top-three wideout. He’s had moments since, too, including a standout Thanksgiving performance against the Detroit Lions this past season.

There’s something there, even if it hasn’t fully clicked yet. And he's also exactly the type of player that general manager Darren Mougey has been targeting.

In just over a year on the job, the Jets’ general manager has made a habit of trading for young, affordable players still on rookie deals. Adonai Mitchell, John Metchie, Jarvis Brownlee, Ja'Sir Taylor, and T'Vondre Sweat all fit that archetype.

These are low-risk bets on upside, not finished products. They're wagers on ascending players with team-friendly contracts. Wicks fits that mold perfectly.

It’s easy to dream on a bigger swing like Brian Thomas Jr., but if the Jets are looking for a move that aligns with their recent approach, Wicks checks every box. And if he lands in a Jets offense with more opportunities than he had in Green Bay, he might not stay under the radar for long.