How Indianapolis Colts' blockbuster Sauce Gardner trade was graded by experts

The Indianapolis Colts pulled off arguably the biggest trade of deadline day on Tuesday when they acquired Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets.

To say Gardner getting traded wasn't on anyone's radar would be an colossal understatement, as there were no rumblings about the possibility of the star cornerback being moved ahead of the trade deadline

The massive upgrade at cornerback for an Indy defense that is bottom-10 versus the pass came at the cost of two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Gardner more than fills the void left by Xavien Howard's retirement and he'll form a strong one-two punch at cornerback with Charvarius Ward once he gets back from injured reserve.

With the Colts shockingly in position to compete for big things in 2025, it was good to see general manager Chris Ballard take a big swing like he did with Gardner, who now fortifies the back end of the defense.

But do experts agree it was the right move? Here's what they're saying.

Sauce Gardner trade grades

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A+

Iyer: "The Colts have a team capable of winning the AFC and getting to Super Bowl 60 at 7-2 and with the No. 1 seed position after Week 9. They needed to get better in the secondary and they landed a shutdown corner ideal for Lou Anarumo's savvy scheme. GM Chris Ballard is already working on Sporting News executive of the year with the signing of quarterback Daniel Jones and the drafting of tight end Tyler Warren. Should Gardner return to his elite levels from his early time with the Jets, he can be a difference-maker through the playoffs when facing some of the better passing teams."

Jeff Howe, The Athletic: A-

Howe: "As always, reward the bold, and the Colts were just that. Gardner is still just 25 years old and under contract through 2030, so he should be a franchise staple for years. And with a coordinator like Anarumo, Gardner should be in terrific hands. The Colts’ start looks legit, and they’re in position to make some teams uncomfortable in the postseason. The perception is they’ve still got quite a bit of ground to make up on perennial powers like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. But someone like Gardner could be good for a difference-making player in a higher-stakes atmosphere."

Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: A

Sullivan: "Gardner is just the type of player who can come in and turn the tide in a more positive direction for the Colts and make them even more of a serious contender in the AFC. Not only is this a fantastic move for the 2025 Colts, but Gardner is under team control through the 2030 season. At the end of this deal, Gardner will have played through his age-30 season, meaning Indy has an All-Pro caliber corner in-house for his entire prime. Because of that team control, it makes sending those two first-rounders much more palatable. Players like Gardner do not become available quite often, so credit to Chris Ballard for pulling off one of the more stunning trades in recent deadline memory."

Nathan Brown, Indy Star: A

Brown: "It’s a major roll of the dice for the Colts, who have four former first-round picks of their own among their current starting lineup, as well as quarterback Daniel Jones and DeForest Buckner, who were taken by the Giants and 49ers, respectively, but if you’re Indianapolis and Ballard, it’s the type of move you make when you realize you may be one player away from a possible Super Bowl push in a relatively wide-open AFC."

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