FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Indianapolis Colts have traded two future first-round picks to the New York Jets in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner. The trade and its details were first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.
This move comes after the Jets signed Gardner to a 4-year, $120.4 million extension this offseason. New York drafted Gardner fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after that season and was the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to be named first-team All-Pro.
This is relevant to the Atlanta Falcons as the team gets ready to face the 7-2 Colts in Berlin, Germany.
Gardner is regarded as one of the best young corners in the game. According to Next Gen Stats, through the first four weeks of the season, Gardner had remained within 1 yard of his coverage matchup for 90 total seconds (one minute and 30 seconds), the most amount of time by any defender in the NFL
By Week 8, Gardner had covered a receiver on at least half of their routes in five of the Jets' seven games to that point. Entering Week 10, he had not allowed more than two receptions to a single receiver in a game. He has forced a tight window on 52% of his targets, the highest rate of any player targeted at least 20 times in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats.
The last time Falcons' receivers faced a secondary including Gardner was a rainy day at Metlife Stadium in 2023. In said game, the Falcons defeated the Jets, 13-8. Drake London was held to one catch for eight yards on a day then-quarterback Desmond Ridder only connected on 12 total completions. Kyle Pitts' was the Falcons' leading receiver with four catches for 51 yards.
In the game, Garnder lined up opposite just about every single Falcons' pass catcher — spending majority of his time in coverage with the receiver in the X role, split out to the right of the line of scrimmage.
London and Pitts are both coming off significant performances in the last two weeks. Against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago, Pitts led the team with nine catches on nine targets. London is coming off 118-receiving yard, three-touchdown day against the New England Patriots last week.
With both teams set to make the trip to Germany it could affect how much Gardner actually plays this Sunday against the Falcons at Olympic Stadium. However, the expectation could be to see Gardner lined up against Falcons' receivers at some point on the day.
Drake London is one of three Falcons with three receiving touchdowns and 100 receiving yards in a single game since 2000. Relive the big moments from the week 9 game against the New England Patriots through our favorite photos.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 warms up prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 runs out prior to the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates with Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 and teammates during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a touchdown pass during the first quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after getting a first down during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 reacts after a catch during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 reacts after a catch during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 scores a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 catches a pass during the fourth quarter of the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Taylor McLaughlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 after the Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 2, 2025. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
