Cornerback has not been a position commonly mentioned in terms of trade candidates, but Brandin Echols appears to be on the radar of potential buyers. The fourth-year defender has drawn interest in the build-up to the deadline, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. 
Echols entered the league in 2021, and he served as a starter during his rookie season. The former sixth-rounder managed a pair of interceptions, nine pass deflections and 63 tackles during that campaign, but he has found himself lower on the CB depth chart since then. Echols is a pending free agent as he plays out the remainder of his rookie contract, and joining a new team could allow him to see a larger defensive role before hitting the market.
Realistically, though, buyers would see the 27-year-old as a depth defender with the potential to serve as a key contributor on special teams. Echols’ defensive snap shares have ranged from 8-39% over the past three years; throughout that time he has remained a regular member of New York’s third phase units. Overall, he has five interceptions and 15 pass breakups on his resume, along with a consistent showing in terms of coverage during his limited action in that regard.
Echols’ 2024 base salary is just $1.01MM, and an acquiring team would only be responsible for a prorated portion of that figure. That could boost his market as the November 5 trade deadline approaches, although it would be a surprise if substantial trade compensation was offered. Still, the Jets’ loss on Sunday has worsened their chances of a postseason berth even further.
New York now sits at 2-6, and the team is on a five-game losing streak (including each of the three contests since head coach Robert Saleh was fired). A seller’s stance would nevertheless come as a surprise given the Davante Adams acquisition and the resolution reached with Haason Reddick. The Jets have Sauce Gardner (eligible for an extension this offseason) and D.J. Reed (a pending free agent who will test the market) atop the cornerback depth chart, along with the recently-extended Michael Carter II. It will be interesting to see if Echols remains a member of that group beyond the deadline.