3 blockbuster trades the Jaguars could make during the 2025 NFL Draft

• Will the Jaguars be aggressive on Draft Day?
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) holds up his finger after a defensive stop with 4 seconds left in the second half the NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Empower Field in Denver, Co. Cincinnati Bengals defeated Denver Broncos 15-10.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) holds up his finger after a defensive stop with 4 seconds left in the second half the NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Empower Field in Denver, Co. Cincinnati Bengals defeated Denver Broncos 15-10. | Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been methodical this offseason. After revamping the front office and the coaching staff, they cut ties with several players and made several signings in free agency in an attempt to raise the roster floor. But as busy as the Jags have been, they could be saving the best for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jacksonville currently has 10 picks and could get another one if Cole Van Lanen bolts for the Seattle Seahawks. But even if they don't acquire extra selections, the Jags will have plenty of flexibility to be aggressive in the draft.

With that in mind, here are three blockbuster trades the Jaguars could make on draft day.

3 blockbuster trades the Jaguars could make in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Jaguars could trade for Trey Hendrickson

The defensive line was one of the few units the Jaguars didn't bolster in free agency, but that could change in the draft. Head coach Liam Coen told the media at the 2025 NFL Owners Meeting that the team feels comfortable about their current group. Having said that, Jacksonville will be in a position to take either defensive tackle Mason Graham or pass rusher Jalon Walker at No. 5. Either one would give the defensive trenches a massive boost, but what if the Jags wanted to bring in a proven veteran?

Trey Hendrickson has been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league the past five years, registering 70.5 sacks in that span. Rigthfully, he wants a pay bump, but the Cincinnati Bengals haven't given it to him. Earlier this offseason, they gave him permission to seek a trade before ultimately changing their stance and trying to work out a deal.

So far, not enough progress has been made, and there's a chance Cincy throws in the towel, cuts its losses, and trade Hendrickson. In Jacksonville, he would supercharge a pass rush that already includes Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. It wouldn't come cheap, though. The Jags would need to give the Bengals their second (the No. 5 pick may be too valuable) this year and next. On top of that, they would need to give him a new contract. Then again, it would be worth it.

The Jaguars could trade for Garrett Wilson

The Jaguars needed to make upgrades to Trevor Lawrence's arsenal of weapons after moving on from Christian Kirk, so they signed Dyami Brown in free agency. Back at the Owners Meeting, Liam Coen spoke glowingly of him, pointing out that Jacksonville got a receiver who can attack all three levels of the field.

Brown was unremarkable early in his NFL career but did enough in 2024 to make you think that he could become a playmaker in Jacksonville. Nevertheless, he has yet to prove he can deliver on a consistent basis, and if the Jags want to make sure Lawrence has no shortage of targets, they should then consider trading for Garrett Wilson.

Early in the offseason, it looked like Wilson and the New York Jets could get an extension done, but he's still waiting on a new deal. There's a new regime in New York, one that inherited the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year. If the New York Jets don't want to make a heavy investment in him, they could simply flip it for draft picks. The Jaguars could swoop him and give Lawrence a receiver, so he no longer has excuses.

The Jaguars could trade the No. 5 pick to the Steelers

Not all the entries on this list have the Jaguars trading for a player. On this, they're on the receiving end.

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had stability behind center since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022 and haven't done much this offseason to change that. They went from Russell Wilson and Justin Field to Mason Rudolph and waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he wants to play for them.

The quarterback free-agent market doesn't look particularly great, and the Steelers hold the No. 21 pick in the draft, so they won't have a shot at either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. They'll either have to address the position next year or add a signal-caller on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.

But what if Sanders is still available at No. 5? That seems like a realistic scenario. The Jaguars don't need a quarterback and would then be the perfect trade partner to move up. Aside from getting the Steelers' first-round pick in 2025, they could get a second this year and a first and a third in 2026. That would be far compensation, and at 21, Jacksonville would still be in a favorable position to come out with a blue-chip prospect.

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