Colts trade for CB Sauce Gardner

[Butter]

I like this take on the trade by Walterfootball.

Colts acquire CB Sauce Gardner from Jets for two first-round picks, WR Adonai Mitchell
The Jaguars traded for a receiver about an hour prior to this deal. The Colts countered by obtaining a player who could easily shut down that receiver. I’d say the Colts won the 2025 trade deadline.

Indianapolis has been a great upstart this year with its No. 1 offense, but the defense was ranked just 15th in EPA. Cornerback, in particular, was a problematic position. That’s not the case anymore in the wake of the Sauce Gardner trade.

The Colts needed a boost in the secondary to compete with the top teams in the AFC. Gardner will certainly provide that boost. He’s a legitimate shutdown cornerback who will allow the Colts to erase one side of the field. Gardner will be especially lethal when paired with Indianapolis’ pass rush, which is ranked third in pressures this season. He’s also just 25, so it’s not like he’ll undergo any regression in the coming years. Surrendering two first-round picks may seem like a lot, but the Colts will be picking in the 20s or perhaps even the 30s, so it won’t be too painful.

Meanwhile, Jets fans can’t feel too good about this trade. The team needs a rebuild, but given that Gardner is just 25, he was supposed to be part of the rebuild. And unless something strange happens next year, the Jets won’t be picking before the mid-20s with either of Indianapolis’ selections.

Grade for Colts – A+
Grade for Jets – C

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Butter

I like this take on the trade by Walterfootball.

BSPN had the exact opposite reaction.

Colts' grade: D
Jets' grade: A

While Bleacher Report aggreed with Walterfootball.

Colts: A
Jets: B

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

BSPN had the exact opposite reaction.

Colts' grade: D
Jets' grade: A

While Bleacher Report aggreed with Walterfootball.

Colts: A
Jets: B

Grades of the trade depend entirely on the graders opinion of the value of draft picks.

I’m much more of a F them picks guy anymore except for a situation like the Jets have, where they can be used to get a quarterback.

If the jets end up using those picks to draft a franchise quarterback, then they won the trade regardless of what the Colts do.

Otherwise, I think it’s likely the colts end up winning the trade, so long as Gardner continues being the player he’s been so far in his career. Which there’s really no reason to think that he won’t, provided he stays healthy.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

If the jets end up using those picks to draft a franchise quarterback, then they won the trade regardless of what the Colts do..

I think this win-lose in a trade attitude is often silly. It can be good for or bad for both teams, Colts win or come close to a SB and the Jets get a franchise QB., Did we somehow lose, it is not like we were going to be in a position to draft that QB.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

BSPN had the exact opposite reaction.

Colts' grade: D
Jets' grade: A

While Bleacher Report aggreed with Walterfootball.

Colts: A
Jets: B

It was not really the grade as much as what they said about the trade

The Colts needed a boost in the secondary to compete with the top teams in the AFC. Gardner will certainly provide that boost. He’s a legitimate shutdown cornerback who will allow the Colts to erase one side of the field. Gardner will be especially lethal when paired with Indianapolis’ pass rush, which is ranked third in pressures this season. He’s also just 25, so it’s not like he’ll undergo any regression in the coming years. Surrendering two first-round picks may seem like a lot, but the Colts will be picking in the 20s or perhaps even the 30s, so it won’t be too painful.