Two Jets' Players Who Could Be Traded Prior to Tuesday's NFL Deadline

After role reductions, defensive end and running back may be better off elsewhere. SI suggests two landing spots.

Two current New York Jets could be on the move prior to Tuesday's 4:00 pm ET trade deadline in the National Football League. 

Sports Illustrated identified one suggested move for each of the NFL's 32 teams and two sparingly-used veterans appeared as potential trade candidates. Jets' edge rusher Carl Lawson and running back Dalvin Cook have seen their snap counts drop significantly in recent weeks and neither appears to be a significant part of the team's plan moving forward. 

Lawson, who is on the final season of a three-year contract, was a gameday inactive for the third time this year when the Jets faced the Giants on October 29. 

In four games, he has three tackles and no quarterback hits. The 28-year-old Lawson finds himself at the bottom of Gang Green's edge rusher logjam that features six players competing for reps. After watching him start all 17 games and record 7.0 sacks in 2022, the Jets have gravitated towards other options this season. 

Cook has been a disappointment since joining the Jets as a free agent in August. After being released by the Minnesota Vikings despite a fourth consecutive 1,100-yard rushing campaign, the 28-year-old running back has failed to rediscover his patented in-game explosion with the Jets. 

Cook received 50 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1 but has since been relegated to a minimal role off the bench. He carried only twice against the Giants and has not had double-digit touches in any of the past four outings. The former second-round draft pick has totaled 41 rush attempts through seven games, averaging a career-low 2.8 yards per carry.

The Jets did not hesitate to move slot receiver Mecole Hardman after he failed to carve out a role for himself. After signing a one-year free agent deal in March, Hardman totaled one reception in six games while seeing fewer than 10 percent of the offense's snaps. He was surpassed on the depth chart by undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson.

SI national writers Matthew Verderame and Gilberto Manzano suggested that the Jets should look to move Lawson in exchange for Day 3 draft capital. Meanwhile, they tabbed Cook as a player who the Baltimore Ravens should target. 

Mecole Hardman's Already Gone, Veteran Defensive End Next?

From One Player Each Team Should Trade or Acquire:

Baltimore Ravens

Player they should acquire: RB Dalvin Cook, Jets

After losing J.K. Dobbins for the year to a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1, the Ravens are another team that could benefit from adding Cook. (Baltimore has been getting by with the combination of Gus Edwards and Justice Hill in the backfield.) Additionally, despite a decreased rushing workload, quarterback Lamar Jackson leads Baltimore with 363 rushing yards.

Giving up a late-round pick for Cook, who has carried the ball only 39 times for the Jets, would be a smart insurance policy for a team that appears to be a contender.

New York Jets

Player they should trade: Edge Carl Lawson

Lawson has been an extra for the majority of New York’s season, playing in only four games. The 28-year-old is also scheduled to hit free agency after the season, and with just three tackles and zero sacks, it’s clear he won’t be back in New York.

The Jets could try to find interest in Lawson for a late Day 3 pick, giving them some value for a soon-to-be departing player. It also wouldn’t hurt their hopes at a playoff berth, considering he doesn’t see the field much, anyway.

Is Dalvin Cook-ed? The Data Doesn't Look Good

READ MORE:

Two Interior Offensive Linemen Heading to IR, Jets Severely Shorthanded

Jets' Offensive Problems Persist in One Particular Category

Jets' Defensive Tackle Tears Achilles vs. Giants