Zaire Franklin NFL Trade History

New York Jets received Jermaine Kearse, 2018 2nd round pick (49th overall subsequently traded, Dallas Goedert), 2018 7th round pick (235th overall subsequently traded, Zaire Franklin) in the 2017-09-01 exchange with Seattle Seahawks. Seattle acquired Sheldon Richardson and a seventh-round choice from the Jets for Jermaine Kearse, a 2018 second-round choice and a 2018 seventh-round choice. The supported outcome gives New York Jets a B grade. The overall verdict is New York Jets Win, based on the direct football and draft value actually realized after the trade.

Indianapolis sent defensive lineman Henry Anderson to the Jets for pick No. 235, then used that seventh-round selection on linebacker Zaire Franklin. Anderson immediately produced seven sacks in New York and earned a multi-year extension, so the Jets received legitimate value. Franklin nevertheless became the superior long-term asset, growing from special-teams contributor into Colts captain, tackle leader and 2024 second-team All-Pro linebacker.

Green Bay acquired veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin from Indianapolis in a straight player-for-player exchange for defensive lineman Colby Wooden. Franklin arrived with 132 games, 82 starts, a 2024 second-team All-Pro selection, and a Pro Bowl appearance, giving the Packers a proven middle-of-the-defense option. Wooden is younger and had become a starter, so the long-term result remains open, but Green Bay received the stronger established résumé at the time of the trade.