INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Ballard’s first major trade prior to the NFL deadline was a major one.
The Indianapolis Colts’ general manager has acquired two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets, according to multiple social media posts. The cost: Two first-round draft picks and wide receiver AD Mitchell.
Mitchell was a 2024 second-round pick whose first year-and-a-half with the Colts has been inconsistency.
The Colts were interested in adding talent to Lou Anarumo’s inconsistent defense with either an edge pass rusher or a reliable cornerback.
Gardner is well beyond reliable.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 draft is a two-time All-Pro selection and was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The Jets signed Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million extension in the offseason, but their season is spiraling out of control at 1-7.
This story will be updated.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.