There are several players around the league who could be traded soon, and one writer believes an interdivisional trade could take place.
Latest trade proposal has Jets adding Dolphins' $14 million defender originally appeared on The Sporting News
We have already gotten through three weeks of NFL action and we've learned a lot.
For example, some teams already seem to be looking forward to 2026 while others have performed even better than they hoped to. The trade deadline is still over a month away, but it's never too early to begin speculating about who could be on the move.
Currently, there are six teams around the league that still don't have a win: the Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans.
Inevitably, some of these teams will end up being sellers. However, a couple wins in a row and any of these teams could suddenly find themselves in position to add at the deadline. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently identified one addition each winless team could make between now and the deadline.
For the Jets, Kay suggested ringing up the division rival Dolphins and ask about Jaelan Phillips. Phillips, an edge-rusher, is versatile enough to help out in run defense or as a pass-rusher, and he could reinvent his career with Aaron Glenn and the Jets.
Kay offered the following trade package:
New York Jets receive: Edge Jaelan Phillips
Miami Dolphins receive: 2026 fourth-round draft pick
Regarding Phillips, Kay offered the following analysis:
One of the most glaring issues is New York's inability to control the trenches. Over the first two weeks, ESPN Analytics noted that the team ranked No. 25 in pass-rush win rate (32 percent) and No. 19 (30 percent) in run-stop win rate. Should Phillips reach his ceiling, he'll be able to assist the Jets in both areas.
While New York already attempted to bolster the defensive trenches by dealing for both Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs before the 2025 campaign, but they'll have to aim higher to get their season off life support. Phillips may cost more than a late-round pick swap, but his upside is worth it.
As Kay noted, the Jets' defensive front has been disappointing so far. The team needs to improve its pass rush and run defense, and Phillips could potentially do both.
Phillips had his best NFL season as a rookie in 2021 and he has yet to reach that point again. That year, the defender racked up 42 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Phillips had seven sacks in 2022 and 6.5 in 2023, but he only managed one in 2024 while playing in just four games.
Perhaps a change of scenery could help Phillips regain his form. A fourth-round draft pick may seem steep, but this is a player who was once thought of a first-round talent and looked well on his way to becoming a reliable edge-rusher.
Phillips will be a free agent following the 2025 season, so the Jets would likely want to get an extension hammered out if they have to give up a mid-round pick.
Category: Football
