The NFL Combine kicks off on Thursday, and two of the league’s struggling teams have already made some notable trades. The New York Jets are preparing to trade defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for nose tackle Tyvondre Sweat. This move could significantly impact both teams as they gear up for the draft.
I mean, it’s not shocking to see Johnson leaving the Jets, especially given that head coach Aaron Glenn has been revamping the defense since he took over. Last season, the organization moved on from key players like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams before the trade deadline, focusing on amassing draft picks while rebuilding the defensive lineup. It’s hard to say if Johnson’s average performance was due to his own abilities or if it was more about the system he was in—whatever the case, Robert Saleh, the new head coach for the Titans, is hopeful that Johnson can recapture his impressive 7.5 sacks from the 2023 season.
As for the Titans trading Sweat, it primarily comes down to fit. Sweat, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 366 pounds, is typically designed to dominate the middle as a 3-4 nose tackle. However, with Saleh shifting Tennessee to a 4-3 defense, the role for a traditional nose tackle becomes less critical. Now the focus is on acquiring bigger edge rushers. Meanwhile, the Jets are, interestingly enough, moving to a 3-4 setup, resulting in their immediate need for someone to anchor the center.
TyVondre Sweat to New York Jets
If you need a nose tackle, why not grab one of the best in the game? T’Vondre Sweat excels at penetrating gaps and providing interior pressure, which is remarkable for someone his size. It’s puzzling how undervalued he’s been, likely due to playing on a struggling team. Honestly, I was surprised the Jets didn’t have to give something significant in terms of draft capital to finalize this trade. In essence, New York has come out ahead, gaining a younger and more skilled player.
This acquisition allows the Jets to pursue what they hoped for in the draft, particularly addressing the Edge position with their No. 2 overall pick. The suspense lies in whether they’ll opt for Abel Rees, Ruben Bain, or possibly a sleeper like David Bailey. Regardless of the choice, this trade represents a significant change for New York, shedding excess players and fortifying the spots they need for the new 3-4 defense.
Jermaine Johnson to Titans
I get that the Titans need help with their pass rush, but it’s important to note that the top prospects in the 2026 draft are heavily geared towards the 3-4 defense. Things can get a bit shaky when players like Bane are forced into 4-3 roles, leading to a noticeable drop-off. However, even if the trade makes sense on the surface, there’s a considerable talent disparity between Johnson and Sweat. While not essential for the Titans, it feels like they’re underestimating Johnson. He’s solid, but maybe not the standout pass rusher they need—especially given that he often got pulled off the field on crucial third-down situations in 2025. Plus, he had a season-ending injury in 2024, and he’s not exactly a young player. It just seems like the Titans could have pushed the Jets a bit more and possibly secured a third-round pick in this transaction.
On the bright side, this opens up various draft possibilities for the Titans. That’s really the silver lining here. If they take a risk on Bane working out as a 4-3 end, they could secure a starter there. They also might consider trading down from the No. 4 pick to acquire someone like Faulk, who fits better in the 4-3 setup, or even DT Peter Woods, gaining more valuable draft assets in the process.
The Titans certainly have options on the table, but they could still stand to gain a pick out of this deal with the Jets.
