Things haven’t probably worked out the way Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback C.J. Henderson might have envisioned earlier this year. Although he had a couple of rough games last season, he also displayed some of the skills that made him the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. A groin injury cut his rookie season short, but he looked like a promising talent ahead of the 2021 season.
Earlier this year, head coach Urban Meyer described Henderson as a talented young man and told the local media the cornerback had undergone labrum surgery this offseason. Heading into training camp, it looked like the Florida product was poised to pick up where he left off last season but he was promptly placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list. He went on to miss eight days of practice and was absent from the Jaguars’ scrimmage on Sunday.
When asked whether Henderson was going to be able to make up for all the time lost, Meyer said he wasn’t sure, per Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax. Not long after, the former Gator became the subject of trade speculation.
Multiple NFL executives believe Henderson is available via trade, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Also, the Jags have “given the impression in some league circles” that the corner is available. Fowler goes on to say that things are good with the team and Henderson. Furthermore, he thinks they are ultimately going to hold onto him. However, this could prompt other clubs to give general manager Trent Baalke a call.
If the Jaguars are indeed shopping Henderson, here are three players they could pursue.
Jacksonville Jaguars trade target No. 1 – Cornerback Donte Jackson
Henderson could end up getting back on track and start in the Jaguars’ season opener against the Houston Texans but what if he doesn’t? The Carolina Panther also have a cornerback that hasn’t fully lived up to their potential in Donte Jackson, so what can the two teams do? How about swapping players?
Jackson is entering the last year of his rookie deal and has shown flashes but hasn’t turned into the player the Panthers thought they were getting when they made him a second-round pick in 2018’s draft. In fact, he could even get the dreaded ‘bust label’. Last season, the LSU product deal with a toe injury that hindered his performance up until the team’s Week 13 bye.
Over his three-year career in Carolina, Jackson has played 43 games with 39 starts and has logged 10 interceptions, 29 passes defensed, and once forced fumble. Those are some pretty solid numbers, so why should the Panthers trade him for Henderson?
Carolina may be hesitant to give Jackson a contract extension. On the other hand, the Jaguars’ current regime didn’t draft Henderson, so they aren’t really attached to him. Also, rookie Tyson Campbell and Sidney Jones have had a productive offseason and they will play a big role in the secondary.
You could argue that the Jags’ cornerback room is already in good shape and that Jackson is an unnecessary luxury but they could at worst get one good year from him and they would also get something in return for Henderson.
Jacksonville Jaguars trade target No. 2 – Offensive guard Justin Pugh
If the Jaguars aren’t interested in acquiring a cornerback, they could consider pursuing an offensive lineman. Now, Henderson has plenty of upside but not much trade value, so any upper-echelon players are out of the question. Still, Jacksonville would still have plenty of options to choose from. How about Arizona Cardinals guard Justin Pugh?
The 19th overall pick in 2013 struggled in his early career. Even though started 63 games over his five-year stint with the New York Giants, he was a liability at right tackle. However, things changed when Pugh signed with the Cards in 2018, having a little bit of a career revival after switching to right guard.
Over the last two seasons, the Syracuse product has appeared in 31 games and has posted favorable Pro Football Focus grades. In 2020, he posted a pass-blocking grade of 74.4 and allowed just two hits and one sack. The year before, he earned an 82.2 pass-blocking mark. The Jaguars don’t really have a need in their interior offensive line but they could also add reinforcement. Moreover, he has lined up at both right and left guard, so his flexibility is a plus.
On the other hand, the Cardinals could use some help at cornerback, as they don’t have much depth behind Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford. Henderson may have a higher ceiling than the two of them, so this trade would benefit both teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars trade target No. 3 – Tight end Dallas Goedert
Zach Ertz isn’t the only tight end on the Philadelphia Eagles‘ roster that could give the Jaguars’ offense a boost. The three-time Pro Bowler may or may not be available via trade but if Philly isn’t interested in shopping him, they should consider entertaining calls about Dallas Goedert.
Earlier this year, the 2018 second-round pick told the media a potential extension was in the works. However, a deal hasn’t materialized at the time of this story being written and he’s heading into the last year of his rookie contract.
It’s possible that the Eagles still want to keep Ertz, that’s why they haven’t been able to strike deal with Goedert. Regardless of the reason, Philadelphia currently possesses two talented tight ends and they could end up shopping either one. Keep in mind that the Eagles haven’t considered trading Goedert, but it wouldn’t hurt the Jaguars to give them a call, even if they are turned down.
The South Dakota State product has shown promise over the last three years. He’s appeared in 42 games with 26 starts and has hauled in 137 receptions for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns. Furthermore, Pro Football Focus ranked Goedert as the fifth-best tight end ahead of the 2021 season.
Philly has one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Darius Slay. Not long ago, they also signed Steve Nelson to play opposite the 2017 First-Team All-Pro nod. Nevertheless, their secondary could still use some help, and Henderson is the kind of player that could benefit from a chance of scenery.