Shocking Trade Ideas Jets Should Pursue Before 2024 Season

The New York Jets are one of the true wild-card teams in the NFL in 2024.

No one is exactly sure how Aaron Rodgers will perform off his torn Achilles.

That could lead to a Jets team in the playoff hunt, or it may result in a disastrous start that leads to a selling franchise in October and November.

The Jets can prevent the latter situation from happening if they are aggressive on the trade market prior to the 2024 campaign.

New York is desperate for success in the Robert Saleh-Rodgers era and it may make a few unexpected trades to make it a stronger contender in the AFC.

Conversely, the Jets could gear up for the 2025 NFL draft and another rebuild by offloading some players who will not be around for long.

Acquire Courtland Sutton from Broncos

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DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 24: Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) makes a catch during warmups before playing the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Sunday December 24, 2023. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

A trade for Courtland Sutton would be the all-in move by the Jets.

New York added reinforcements at wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson, but none of them would be as impactful as Sutton.

Denver might be in fire sale mode at the trade deadline and it could get ahead of the curve by dealing Sutton this summer. The Broncos will probably be picked to finish last in the AFC West by most experts.

Sutton would give the Jets two star wide receivers. He would allow Mike Williams and rookie Malachi Corley to play supporting roles to him and Wilson.

A trade for Sutton would put the Jets in a terrific position to start strong and it would be a signal of the team's true ambition for the 2024 season.

A trade for Sutton only happens if the Jets start off strong, and if that does happen, the Jets should be aggressive in the trade market because they are not sure how long the window to win with Rodgers will be open.

Proposed Trade: Jets acquire Courtland Sutton from Broncos for 2025 second-round pick and 2025 third-round pick

Deal with Cincinnati for Tee Higgins

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 23: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

A deal for Tee Higgins seems a bit more outlandish because the Cincinnati Bengals could contend with a healthy Joe Burrow back on the field.

But the AFC North is one of the tougher divisions in football and the Bengals might struggle a bit to find their footing in 2024.

Higgins was franchise tagged by the Bengals in the offseason and the team may not be willing to pay him a big-money deal.

The Jets have chased plenty of big names in the past and Higgins would provide a massive upgrade to the offense.

New York could use Higgins as a season-long rental, or look to ink him to a large contract so that he and Wilson can lead the offense for years, even after Rodgers departs.

The Jets have an extra third-round pick in 2025 that will surely help them in any trade negotiations. It could send a few Day 2 picks to Cincinnati so that it can recoup something if the Higgins negotiations sour.

Proposed Trade: Jets acquire Tee Higgins from Bengals for 2025 second-round pick and 2025 third-round pick.

Jets Deal Mike Williams to Cowboys

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers and Joshua Palmer #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate after William's receiving touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The Mike Williams era in New York may not last long.

Williams is on a one-year contract and could easily be dealt for draft capital if the Jets believe their season might go nowhere from the start.

In that scenario, the Jets could develop Corley more and allow other young wide receivers to build their resumes in the final year of the Rodgers era.

There's also a chance that Williams does not fit well inside the Jets offense if Corley has a breakout summer.

The Dallas Cowboys could have eyes on Williams and other veteran wide receivers throughout the first half of the season.

Dallas may need some help behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Williams would be a perfect No. 3 pass-catcher for that system.

A potential trade would allow the Jets to collect one or two more draft picks to build for the post-Rodgers era, which could come as soon as this offseason regardless of if they win or lose.

Proposed Trade: Jets send Mike Williams to Cowboys for 2025 third-round pick.