The New York Jets acquired a pair of first-round picks in the Sauce Gardner trade with the Indianapolis Colts to replenish their now-depleted secondary
In fact, that's what Bleacher Report's Scouting Department is predicting New York will do in the 2026 NFL draft.
In their latest mock draft, B/R's Scouting Department predicts New York will draft South Carolina cornerback Jalon Kilgore with the No. 32 overall pick.
Of course, we don't know where the Colts' pick will fall yet, but Bleacher Report has them in that spot because they currently own the league's best record.
The Sauce Gardner deal to the Indianapolis Colts creates a void in the secondary, though general manager Doug Mougey doesn't need to execute a one-for-one exchange with this particular selection.
Instead, South Carolina's Jalon Kilgore is more of a defensive chess piece to use along the back line.
While Kilgore could end up being Gardner's replacement, there are a slew of ways the Jets could use him, hence the "chess piece" label Bleacher Report gives him.
Standing at 6-foot-11 and 211 pounds, Kilgore is capable of lining up anywhere in the defensive backfield, but he has spent the majority of his time at South Carolina in the slot.
The Jets have a need there, also, after unloading slot cornerback Michael Carter in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of deadline day.
B/R's Scouting Department also believes that Kilgore could play at safety, where the Jets should have an opening thanks to Andre Cisco being a free agent in 2026.
Kilgore has shown he has a pretty good nose for the football after tallying five picks in 2024.
He only has one interceptions this season, but he also has five passes defensed through eight games, which is just one shy of his career high.
While it's far too early to forecast what the Jets will do in the 2026 NFL draft, it's conceivable that Kilgore could be an option for New York if he's on the board when they're on the clock.
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