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The New York Jets hold the Indianapolis Colts’ 2027 first-round draft pick as part of a previous trade, positioning them to reap massive rewards from Indianapolis’ roster teardown. Following the Colts’ trades of eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson and star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, ESPN’s Field Yates identified the Jets as the sneaky winners of Tuesday’s blockbuster roster moves.
The Indianapolis Colts stunned the NFL on Tuesday by dismantling their core, trading eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. While the Seahawks and the 49ers acquired players from the Colts on Tuesday, the impact of the transactions was also felt on the East Coast.
Field Yates of ESPN highlighted that the New York Jets benefit unexpectedly from the Tuesday deal between the Seahawks and the Colts, largely because they possess Indianapolis’ selection in the first round of the 2027 draft. Sitting at 2-5, the Colts appear to be fully committing to a rebuild after shipping out Nelson—who earned Pro Bowl nods in each of his first eight NFL seasons—alongside Buckner, a three-time Pro Boomer. According to Yates, this acquisition involving Nelson could represent just the beginning of a series of deals where the Colts unload talented veterans with an eye on tomorrow.
A sneaky winner of the Quenton Nelson trade to Seattle?The Jets. The Nelson trade could be the first of multiple trades the Colts make for their quality veteran players as they look towards the future.The Jets own Indy's 2027 first round pick.
How the Jets Accumulated Three First-Round Picks
The foundation of this draft capital bonanza was laid last November when the Jets traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts. Back then, the franchise in Indianapolis looked like one of the premier championship contenders in the AFC, paving the way for a high-stakes gamble that shipped wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and a pair of first-round selections to New York. Unfortunately, the team bottomed out and failed to make the playoffs, leaving the Colts’ future assets securely in Jets hands.
The Jets further bolstered their draft chest by trading defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 second-round pick, defensive tackle Mazi Smith, and a 2027 first-round pick. As things stand right now, New York holds three first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft: their own, the Colts’, and the better first-round selection from the Dallas Cowboys or Green Bay Packers. Depending on how each franchise finishes the upcoming slate, the Jets could find themselves armed with multiple top-10 selections.
The Roster and the Nov. 10 Trade Deadline
With Geno Smith currently under center, the Jets still need to secure a long-term option at quarterback, and this unprecedented allocation of premium picks provides the ammunition to do so. The franchise already features defensive mainstays like Demario Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, alongside offensive weapons Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
Jets fans will be rooting for the Colts to continue tearing things down before the November 10 trade deadline and tank the rest of the season. If Indianapolis keeps shipping away foundational veterans and their record continues to plummet, New York stands ready to capitalize on a historic draft haul.
Another reminder: As the Colts continue trading players ahead of the NFL’s deadline, it’s worth noting: the New York Jets hold Indianapolis’ 2027 first-round draft pick. https://t.co/W8OYnHViq7
