Jacksonville Jaguars interested in Branden Albert according to reports

A day after declining to pick up left tackle Kelvin Beachum‘s option, the Jaguars are reportedly interested in acquiring Branden Albert.

In a rather curious move, the Jacksonville Jaguars declined to pick up left tackle Kelvin Beachum’s team option, forcing the front office to either come up with a new contract or let Beachum go. Some have speculated the Jaguars were looking to negotiate a contract with different terms, but those plans likely changed with the news that the Miami Dolphins were shopping around Branden Albert.

Earlier reports stated the Dolphins would cut the former free agent signing, but now the Dolphins are attempting to recoup some value.

You might wonder what team would be interested in a player that will likely be cut regardless, and that team is reportedly the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"The Miami Dolphins are hopeful but not necessarily optimistic they will be able to trade offensive tackle Branden Albert in the coming weeks because making the deal involves a lot of moving parts somehow synchronizing to everyone’s satisfaction.One of the teams, and perhaps the only team, currently interested in Albert is the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to multiple sources.The Jaguars need a starting left tackle because they recently decided not to pick up a club option on Kelvin Beachum, effectively sending him into free agency on March 9 — one year after they signed him to a five-year contract.So if no other team gets involved, a trade between the Dolphins and Jaguars would require the two teams agreeing on compensation for Albert. And it would also require Albert agreeing to play in Jacksonville — which tests his willingness to go to a team with little chance of competing for a championship while also perhaps seeking greater financial security if he goes up I-95 a few hundred miles."

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So what would it take? I contend the Jaguars could get away with a very late draft pick, possibly a sixth or seventh rounder, given the Dolphins are done with Albert anyway. Armando Salguero says the Jaguars might even be able to swing a deal if they just throw Julius Thomas into the fold:

"If the teams cannot decide on draft pick compensation, which remains the most likely vehicle for getting a deal between the teams, the teams might explore player compensation.And that deal would have to include a player the Jaguars are not eager to keep.Tight end Julius Thomas is one obvious possibility."

Thomas and Davon House come to mind as two players the Jaguars would seemingly be fine with dealing away. Thomas was arguably the fourth best tight end on the roster last year and his contract is onerous at this point. The Jaguars can afford him of course, but the team should be instilling a culture where you earn your job through performance, not contract numbers.

I think the Jaguars should go for Albert if the price is right – for me that means sending a player like Thomas or House, rather than any type of draft compensation.