With the 2026 NFL trade deadline near, ESPN's Seth Walder went back and re-graded each trade deadline move from 2025, including the Indianapolis Colts' blockbuster deal for CB Sauce Gardner.
In that trade, the Colts sent their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks to the Jets, along with WR AD Mitchell, in return for Gardner.
Even from the jump, Walder was never a fan of this trade, giving the Colts a D and the New York Jets an A. And now, given where the Colts stand as they enter rebuild mode, that already low grade has dropped further, with Indianapolis' new grade being an F.
"It was an ill-advised and reckless overpay," Walder wrote. "It's fine for NFL teams to push their chips in while contending. But there must be a price limit to every transaction,
and the Colts blew past what was reasonable. It looks even worse now, because everything that has happened since has been a disaster for Indianapolis."
Of course, the low grade from Walder stems from the Colts missing the playoffs after the trade was made and the team now entering a rebuild without a first-round pick in 2028 -- one that is looking like it will be a top 10 selection.
But in addition to that, Walder also points out Gardner's play since arriving in Indianapolis, which has included him missing time due to injury.
"Gardner has allowed 1.1 yards per coverage snap this season -- average for an outside cornerback," Walder wrote. "Gardner also has plus-8.5 EPA allowed on targets (worse than average). While I believe some of Gardner's numbers are a result of contested catch variance and that he's playing better than his 1.1 number suggests, the results have not been great."
Also sinking the Colts' grade is the fact that Mitchell was included in the deal, and he is now seemingly flourishing in New York, while Indianapolis' wide receiver depth has been exposed this season.
"Mitchell has put up an extraordinary 2.6 yards per route run when he has been on the field. The Jets look like they also got a starting-caliber wide receiver out of this trade, making it even better," Walder wrote.
The Jets' original trade grade from Walder was an A, and that's what it still is, likely because it can't go any higher.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: ESPN re-grades Colts, Jets' Sauce Gardner deal one year later
