Jets GM Darren Mougey is the player to watch in the next two NFL drafts. After two mega-trades, the Jets own five picks in the first round and three in the second round of the 2026 and 2027 drafts.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Browns v. New York Jets
Sunday, 1 p.m., in MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Record: 1-7.
Last game: Defeated Cincinnati Bengals, 39-38, in Cincinnati.
Coach: Aaron Glenn, 1-7, first year.
Series record: Browns lead, 16-14 (counting postseason).
Last meeting: Browns won, 37-20, December 28, 2023.
League rankings: Offense is 25th overall (third rushing, 32nd passing), defense is 20th overall (26th rushing, 11th passing) and turnover differential is minus-9.
Things to watch
1. The Jets cashed in their chips on the 2025 season by trading their best two defensive players – cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams – on Tuesday. For Gardner, they netted the Colts’ first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, and receiver Adonai Mitchell. For Williams, they received the Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2026, their first-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. The Jets now control both the 2026 and 2027 drafts, giving GM Darren Mougey ample assets to build a completely new team. The Jets are the fourth team to acquire multiple picks in the first round of the 2026 draft (Browns, Rams, Cowboys are the others), and, given their intention to tank, they now are the odds-on favorite to earn the first pick in the draft, which should be Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza.
2. Glenn’s challenge now is to keep his team interested in trying to win. For the second game in a row, Glenn has declined to name his starting quarterback, but everyone expects it to be Justin Fields. He had been demoted, but made the start in Cincinnati because of a knee injury suffered by journeyman Tyrod Taylor. Fields had perhaps the best game of his career in the 39-38 win over the Bengals, throwing for 244 yards and a touchdown and making two crucial 2-point conversions.
3. While the Jets decimated their defense on Tuesday, they intentionally held on to their best offensive players – receiver Garrett Wilson (36 receptions and four touchdowns), running back Breece Hall (750 yards from scrimmage) and tight end Mason Taylor (29 receptions, one TD). Wilson missed the past two games with a knee injury but is expected to return to practice this week. The Jets also added two receivers – Mitchell from the Colts and John Metchie, who was acquired in a trade with the Eagles.
4. It’s no surprise the Jets decided to dismantle their defense. Even with Gardner and Williams, the Jets were next-to-last in sacks (11) and quarterback pressures (43) and were the only team in the NFL without an interception. After the trades, their best players on defense are edge rushers Will McDonald (three sacks, six QB hits) and Jermaine Johnson (one sack).
Did you know … ?
1. Nick Folk is the only full-time kicker who has not missed a kick this season. He is 17 of 17 on field goals, including a long of 58 yards, and 9 of 9 on PATs. Folk turned 41 on Tuesday and is the second-oldest kicker in the NFL. Buffalo’s Matt Prater, 41, is three months older.
2. The Jets’ 5.2 yards per rush matches the Ravens for best in the league.
3. The Jets’ 10 offensive giveaways match the total of the Browns. But the Jets have only one defensive takeaway – a recovered fumble – for a league-worst minus-9 turnover differential.
Small world: Aaron Glenn was Browns assistant defensive backs coach in 2014-15 … defensive coordinator Steve Wilks held the same position for Browns in 2019 … senior assistant, pass game coordinator Scott Turner was Browns wide receivers coach in 2013 … tight ends coach Jeff Blasko was Browns assistant offensive line coach in 2019 … offensive line coach Steve Heiden was a Browns tight end from 2002-09 … defensive assistant Alonso Escalante was Browns defensive quality control coach in 2019 … defensive assistant Roosevelt Williams was a Browns cornerback in 2003-04 … defensive tackle Jowon Briggs was the Browns’ seventh-round draft pick in 2024 … quarterback Tyrod Taylor played for the Browns in 2018.