The New York Jets made the biggest splash at the NFL trade deadline, trading a pair of superstar defenders in cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and interior defenseman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys. In return, the Jets received three first-round picks, a second-round pick in 2026, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The centerpiece of New York’s return is obviously its three first-round picks, but what’s fascinating is that only one of them — acquired from the Colts — will arrive in 2026. That means the Jets now have three first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft. And the Jets will get the Cowboys highest also in the first round in 2027, as Dallas currently owns two: its own and Green Bay’s from the Micah Parsons trade.
That’s an incredibly forward-thinking move by general manager Darren Mougey, as the 2027 draft class is already shaping up to be a potential all-timer.
New York’s three biggest needs – quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback – all fit perfectly with the class’s strengths. Each position features a prospect who would likely be the first player drafted at his position if eligible for the 2026 class.
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
The current Heisman Trophy favorite is putting up accuracy numbers we’ve never seen before. Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin’s completion percentage of 80.7% not only leads all quarterbacks in college football this season; it would be the all-time record if it holds. His adjusted completion percentage of 86.1% and PFF grade of 93.2 also lead the FBS.
Sayin may not have ‘elite’ physical tools, but neither does Joe Burrow, and both win with exceptional ball placement and precision. If the Jets pass on a quarterback this year, Sayin will almost certainly be their top target in 2027.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Sayin’s top weapons projects as one of the best wide receiver prospects we’ve ever seen. Jeremiah Smith entered Columbus as the highest-rated wide receiver recruit of all time and immediately lived up to the hype. As a true freshman, he was the nation’s most valuable receiver according to PFF’s wins above average.
Now a sophomore, Smith has a PFF grade of 88.0 – second among all wide receivers in the country, behind only teammate Carnell Tate. At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, Smith combines elite athleticism with polished technique, making his refinement at just 19 years old all the more remarkable.
CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
Like Smith, Moore was an instant superstar as a true freshman. He finished the 2024 season as the nation’s third most valuable cornerback according to PFF’s wins above average. The only two players ahead of him – Travis Hunter and Jahdae Barron – were both drafted in the top 20 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Moore was even better as a sophomore, leading all Power Four cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (90.0). Notre Dame plays man coverage at one of the highest rates in the country, and Moore thrives in those situations and has allowed just 39.7% of his targets to be caught in single coverage. He has the qualities to be New York’s next true shutdown corner, following in the footsteps of Darrelle Revis and Sauce Gardner.
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