The Jets resisted all major trades ahead of Tuesday's deadline, with safety Andre Cisco the only player dealt by New York in a midseason deal.

Despite interest in pass-rusher Will McDonald IV and some trying to connect QB Geno Smith to the Vikings, the Jets will largely enter the second half of the season with the team they had in the first half. At 2-7, that isn't always ideal.

Action and inaction from other teams could, however, make the Jets a sneaky deadline winner.

Here's a look at how the Jets made out well despite their limited movement at the deadline.

MORE: Grading every NFL trade deadline deal

Why Jets were sneakiest winners of NFL trade deadline

The Jets' hopes for 2027 and beyond rest on next April's draft, when they will have three first-round picks and the chance to potentially select a franchise quarterback. Their chances of picking near the top improved ahead of the deadline.

New York's own pick was already headed toward the top of the draft with the team sitting on just two wins. While the path to the No. 1 pick might be too difficult, it could land within the top five selections.

The Colts' tear-down massively benefits the Jets, who own Indianapolis' first-round pick. The Colts didn't trade Jonathan Taylor, but losing Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Josh Downs turns an already-struggling team into one that will be an underdog in most of its games the rest of the way.

The other first-round pick owned by the Jets comes from the Cowboys, whose outlook is brighter than the Colts' but dimmer than it could've been after a quiet trade deadline. A year after sending its first-round pick to New York for Quinnen Williams, Dallas stood pat on Tuesday, meaning a flawed 4-5 team that still has games against the 49ers, Seahawks, Rams and Jaguars didn't get better.

That should set the stage for a favorable outcome when the dust settles at the end of the season. Even if the Jets don't land a top-three pick, having that kind of ammo to move up (or down) in the draft and target the players GM Darren Mougey wants would be a massive boost.

MORE: See every trade made before the deadline

Jets first-round picks in 2027

The Jets own three first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, meaning they could control the top of the draft in Washington D.C.

Here's where those picks would land as of deadline day:

  • No. 4 (from Colts)
  • No. 6 (own)
  • No. 13 (from Cowboys)

The Jets own the higher pick of the Cowboys and Packers, but Green Bay is a full two games ahead of Dallas, making it more likely at the moment that the Cowboys end up with the higher of the two selections.

As it stands now, the Jets would pick twice inside the top six and again at No. 13, giving them the rare opportunity to make three picks inside the top half of the first round.

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