Cornerback Shaquill Griffin joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and quickly became one of their most important players on defense. However, Griffin’s second year with the Jags didn’t go the way he probably expected. He suffered a back injury in training camp that affected his on-field performance and was placed on the Injury Reserve five games into the season.
Griffin still has one year left on the three-year deal worth $40.5 million he signed with the Jags and he’s set to count $17 million against the cap next season. Although he said he would like to return to Jacskonville in 2023, trading/releasing him would free up $13.1 million in space with $4 million in dead money.
The Jaguars are no longer over the cap and currently have $16.11 million in space after re-signing a handful of players and restructuring a few contracts. However, that might not be nearly enough to accommodate wide receiver Calvin Ridley once he’s reinstated and get their 2023 rookie class signed.
For this reason, Griffin has been brought up as a potential trade candidate on several occasions. Just recently, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the Jaguars plan to either release or trade him.
The #Jaguars are expected to release or attempt to trade CB Shaquill Griffin in the coming days, per sources. A release would save $13.1 million in cap space.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 3, 2023
Still just 27 and a former Pro Bowler, Griffin figures to be a key player in the cornerback market.
Nobody would call Griffin a shutdown corner but he’s proven to be a solid starter when healthy. He made the Pro Bowl in 2019 and posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 72.0 in 2021. If healthy the former UCF Knight could help several clubs.
Make no mistake though, the Jaguars won’t get a ransom of picks for Griffin. At most, they’ll be offered a late-round selection. Then again, that’s better than letting him walk and not getting anything in return. And if they want to avoid the risk of missing out on Griffin, these three teams should get in touch with the Jags.
No. 3 trade partner for Jacksonville Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin: Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have improved considerably since Dan Campbell became their head coach two years ago. After going 3-13-1 in 2021, the Lions managed to exceed expectations and finished with a 9-7 record last season. Although they came one step short of making the playoffs, they knocked the Green Bay Packers out of contention, which is the second-best thing.
One big reason for Detriot’s turnaround in 2022 was their offense, which ranked fifth in points scored in the league. On the other hand, their defense left much to be desired, finishing 28th in points allowed and 32nd in total yards.
The Lions’ brass has poured significant resources into their offense over the last couple of years. It’s time they give defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn some players. Cornerback Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, managed to suit up for 15 games after playing 10 in the two previous seasons combined.
But even if Okudah manages to stay healthy and improve in 2023, the Lions need help at cornerback. Jerry Jacobs was solid but not much else. Mike Huges appeared in 16 games with six starts in 2022 but is set to become a free agent. Amani Oruwariye, who made five starts for Detroit last year, is also slated to hit the open market.
The Lions might use an early-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to bolster their cornerback group. On the other hand, they should consider giving the Jaguars a call to try to get Griffin. He would give them a veteran presence that can line up opposite Okudah right off the bat.
No. 2 trade partner for Jacksonville Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals cleaned house after the 2022 season. They moved on from head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steven Keim and brought in Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort to fill their respective positions. And with a new regime will come a series of changes.
Trading wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins seems to be at the top of the Cards’ offseason list but that’s not the only item they’ll need to address in the upcoming months. Revamping their offensive line is one of their biggest priorities but they must also restock their defense, Gannon’s area of expertise.
Future Hall-of-Fame defensive end J.J. Watt is hanging up the cleats, so Arizona will need to bolster their pass rush. On the other hand, their secondary could also use a facelift. Byron Murphy missed seven games last season and his absence was noticeable. He’s now scheduled to be a free agent. Marco Wilson was arguably the best of the Cards’ remaining corners but just like Murphy, he’s got an expired contract and is slated to hit the open market.
Even if Arizona re-signs Murphy or Wilson, they must add a couple of cornerbacks in free agency or the draft. Injuries expose the dearth of depth at the position last year. Wilson tallied the most starts with 14 but outside of him, no other Cardinals logged more than 10.
The Cardinals might be targeting a cornerback in the first round of the draft. They currently have the 3rd overall pick, so they’ll be in a position to select Oregon’s, Christian Gonzales. If they do take Gonzales, they should then trade for Shaq Griffin to round out their cornerback group and address other needs.
1. trade partner for Jacksonville Jaguars CB Shaquill Griffin: Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Josh McDaniels as their head coach and Dave Ziegler as general manager last offseason However, it wasn’t until this year that the duo will have the chance to implement their vision, as they spent the 2021 season picking up the pieces from the Jon Gruden era.
Replacing Derek Carr and finding a long-term answer at quarterback is the Raiders’ biggest priority this offseason. On the other hand, Ziegler must pay attention to an area previous regimes have failed to address: The defense.
One of the biggest reasons Las Vegas has made two playoff appearances over the last two years is their lack of attention to their defense. Last season, the Raiders’ brass brought in outside linebacker Chandler Jones and they have one of the best edge rushers in the whole league in Max Crosby. However, their secondary could use three or four new starters.
Safety Travon Moehrig and cornerback Nate Hobbs regressed after showing promise in 2021. The coaching staff will probably give them a chance to bounce back but that shouldn’t deter them from revamping their back seven in free agency and the draft. Rock Ya-Sin was solid for them last year, so re-signing him is a choice. Having said that, Las Vegas should also get in touch with the Jaguars and see what the asking price for Shaq Griffin is.
The Raiders have the seventh overall pick in the draft but they have bigger needs than cornerback, offensive line, and quarterback among them. Conversely, they will have $48 million in cap space, which would be more than enough to sign a few free agents and take on Griffin and his contract. Los Angeles would also need to give Jacksonville a pick in exchange for him but that’s a fair price to pay for a veteran.