The New York Jets tumbled to a 2-7 record following a blowout loss in Kansas City, marking their fourth straight defeat as the trade deadline approaches.
FanSided reported that if the regular season ended today, the team would secure the No. 6 overall draft pick, prompting an inevitable pivot toward selling off veteran talent to reset for 2027.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright stands as the primary candidate for an immediate exit after the Jets ruled him out before their Week 9 contest, a precautionary measure to safeguard his health ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
FanSided noted that Wright has logged zero defensive snaps this season on his one-year deal, serving strictly on special teams behind Brandon Stephens and Azareye’h Thomas. Given his Pro Bowl pedigree last season, the front office can easily fetch a late-round selection for his services.
Defensive end Will McDonald IV faces a similar crossroads despite staying on the roster through persistent trade chatter over the last few years. FanSided reported that McDonald’s playing time dropped sharply to 48 percent of defensive snaps this season—down from 66 percent in each of the prior two years—even with Joseph Ossai sidelined by injuries.
Entering the final year of his contract in 2027, the 27-year-old edge rusher has registered eight or more sacks in two of his four NFL seasons, making him an attractive option for a needy contender willing to surrender a Day Two pick.
Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips represents another logical departure as a 30-year-old team captain playing on an expiring contract. FanSided reported that Phillips is visibly regressing, and with Darrell Jackson Jr. waiting in the wings as an internal replacement, dealing the veteran for a Day Three selection is a straightforward roster decision.
Safety Andre Cisco shares that exact expiring-contract timeline, currently operating as the third safety behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Dane Belton. FanSided observed that while Cisco plays a reliable role in stopping the run, his long-term future in New York does not extend into 2027, opening a natural window for younger draft picks like Malachi Moore and VJ Payne to audition.
Running back Breece Hall rounds out the group, though public messaging from the organization suggests he stays put through Tuesday. FanSided pointed out that Hall’s contract structure leaves a minuscule $4 million cap hit for next season if dealt, creating a financial blueprint tailor-made for a trade.
With Braelon Allen emerging as a younger, cheaper, and more explosive option in the backfield, an aggressive front office might find an incoming Day Two or Day Three offer too lucrative to ignore.
