4 NY Jets players most likely to be traded at the deadline

With a 3-3 record exiting their bye week, the NY Jets are unlikely to be sellers at the trade deadline this year. The Jets have overachieved and held strong without Aaron Rodgers despite a difficult six-game stretch to begin their season.

If anything, the Jets might be in the market to make an addition or two at the deadline. Positions such as wide receiver or even the offensive line make sense as potential targets for Gang Green.

That said, this doesn't preclude the Jets from offloading some players who don't have roles this season or in the future (see: Mecole Hardman). There are a handful of players on the Jets' roster that could be dealt to another team before the deadline.

Let's take a look at four of the most likely players on the Jets roster to be traded before the end of the month.

4. Bryce Hall, CB, NY Jets

The Jets have the deepest cornerback room in the NFL. I'm not sure that statement is even arguable anymore after the likes of Bryce Hall, Craig James, and Tae Hayes stepped in and held their own against the Philadelphia Eagles duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in Week 6.

Hall has reminded Jets fans of the player they once saw as a potential future building block two years ago. The former fifth-round pick has started two games in place of the injured D.J. Reed and later Sauce Gardner, allowing just six total catches.

Still, with Gardner and Reed, along with Brandin Echols, set to return in the near future, Hall likely won't have a significant role moving forward. He's also slated to be a free agent at the end of the season, and it seems unlikely the Jets will re-sign him.

Hall is quality depth, and the Jets might look to keep him around for that reason, but if some cornerback-needy team was impressed by what they saw the last two weeks, the Jets might just receive an offer they can't refuse.

3. C.J. Uzomah, TE, NY Jets

Tyler Conklin has sneakily been one of the Jets' best offensive players this season. Jeremy Ruckert has emerged as one of the most important pieces in the team's running game in his second season.

Between Conklin and Ruckert, the Jets have a pair of tight ends who complement each other's skill sets and create a pretty formidable duo. The issue is that Ruckert is still behind veteran C.J. Uzomah on the depth chart.

Now, I'll be an Uzomah defender here for a second — I think he gets too much hate. The nine-year NFL veteran is actually Pro Football Focus' eighth-highest-ranked tight end through six weeks, with PFF's second-highest run-block grade among all players at his position.

Uzomah absolutely still has a role on this Jets roster, but it has become increasingly apparent that Ruckert deserves more snaps. The younger Ruckert should be elevated to the role of TE2 coming out of the bye.

If that happens, Uzomah could be relegated to a pretty insignificant role in the Jets' offense. That could prompt the Jets to explore trade options for the veteran tight end.

The Jets have an out in Uzomah's contract after this season but would likely need to eat some money to make a trade happen. Still, it might make sense if they receive an appealing enough offer.

The most likely scenario is that Uzomah isn't moved, but it's feasible to imagine a scenario in which the Jets find a trade partner.

2. Dalvin Cook, RB, NY Jets

The Dalvin Cook experiment has been a complete and utter failure for the Jets. The Jets signed Cook with the hope that he could provide quality running back depth while Breece Hall was recovering from his torn ACL.

Cook received plenty of touches early in the season, but his performance to this point has been a massive disappointment. The four-time Pro Bowler is averaging an NFL-worst 2.8 yards per carry — made worse by the fact that Hall's 6.5 yards per carry leads the league.

It's not just box-score numbers, either. Cook's -1.45 RYOE (rushing yards over expected) per carry also ranks dead last in the NFL. He's been the least efficient running back in all of football.

The Jets seemingly realize that as Cook has received fewer and fewer snaps in each game he's played. Cook was only on the field for nine snaps, receiving three carries in the Jets' last game against the Eagles.

That's why it should come as little surprise that the Jets are exploring their options with Cook. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported last week that Cook "is available" ahead of the deadline.

Cook shouldn't have a role with the Jets moving forward. Whether that means giving his snaps to rookie Israel Abanikanda or even making a move to add another running back, Cook shouldn't be on the field anymore.

The challenge for the Jets might come with finding a team that actually wants Cook at this stage. The Jets are very interested in trading Cook, and if they can find a taker, he likely won't be on the roster in November.

1. Carl Lawson, DE, NY Jets

Dalvin Cook isn't the only player the Jets are reportedly shopping ahead of next week's trade deadline. The Athletic's Dianna Russini is also reporting that the Jets are seeking a trade partner for defensive end Carl Lawson.

Lawson's Jets career has undoubtedly been a disappointment. The big-money free-agent signing looked like the best player on the roster in his first summer with the team, only to have his season ended abruptly by a torn Achilles suffered in training camp.

The Jets, unfortunately, have never really seen a healthy Carl Lawson since. The former Auburn standout appeared in all 17 games last season, although he clearly wasn't the player he was pre-injury.

The hope was that with an extra year removed from his Achilles injury, Lawson could return in 2023 and be the guy the Jets always knew he could be. That's why the team decided to restructure his contract instead of simply cutting him and recouping $15 million.

Unfortunately, Lawson suffered a back injury in the summer, and it's become clear that he still isn't healthy. Lawson has attempted to play through the injury, but he's managed just two pressures and zero sacks in four games this season.

The Jets would be better off giving Lawson's snaps to players like Will McDonald and Bryce Huff moving forward. Much like Cook, he should not have a regular role coming out of the bye week.

If some team wants to take a chance on Lawson returning to full health this season, perhaps the Jets could find a taker for their former big-ticket free-agent signing. They'll be listening to any and all offers.