The 2023 NFL trade deadline has come and passed, and the NY Jets opted not to make any deadline deals. The trade market was rather stagnant this year, but that doesn't mean the Jets deserve a pass for their inactivity.
The Jets went into the deadline with a number of roster needs in desperate need of addressing, and, for one reason or another, they failed to address any of those needs.
Of course, it always takes two to tango. It's impossible to sit here after the deadline has passed and say, "The Jets should have traded for without knowing the complex nature of all trade discussions.
Yet, that's exactly what we're going to do anyway. The following four players should have been priorities for the Jets at this year's trade deadline.
4. The NY Jets should've traded for Darnell Mooney
The Jets have a pretty dire need at the wide receiver position at the moment. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets don't have a single other wide receiver who can reliably and consistently make plays for the offense.
Allen Lazard ranks second in the NFL in drop rate and is near the bottom in average separation. Randall Cobb has a strong case for being the worst player in the NFL from a statistical standpoint.
That's where someone like Darnell Mooney could have come into play. Mooney recorded over 1,000 yards just two seasons ago, but he's slowly become an afterthought in the Chicago Bears offense.
At just 26 years old, Mooney could have also been a potential piece for the future. The Bears ultimately decided to hold onto Mooney at the deadline, but it's worth wondering what the Jets might've needed to pay to acquire the soon-to-be free agent.
If a sixth-round pick would have done the trick, the Jets missed out.