At this point, it's abundantly clear that the Jacksonville Jaguars need help on the interior defensive line. Aside from Arik Armstead, they don't truly have a playmaker at defensive tackle, which is why nobody will bat an eye if the team's brass makes an effort to add reinforcements at the position.
What's a bit of a surprise is that the Jags won't seemingly spare any expense to get a top-tier defensive tackle, according to a recent report.
The Jaguars are reportedly interested in trading for Jalen Carter
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN shared everything he's hearing across the league ahead of the start of free agency. He reports that after locking up Jordan Davis long-term, the Philadelphia Eagles are receiving calls from other teams about the possibility of trading fellow defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Not long after Fowler's original scoop, Thomas R. Peterson posted on social media that Jacksonville is among the clubs that have made inquiries about Carter. Before he was suspended, Twitter user Rickey Scoops mentioned that Phily had made the 2023 first-round pick available during their pursuit of Maxx Crosby before the Baltimore Ravens traded for him.
Carter has been a key cog of the Eagles defense the past three years, registering 13.5 sacks in that span. Similarly, he's made the Pro Bowl each of the past two years, but Philadelphia probably won't be able to give him a new deal after extending Davis, so it makes sense to shop him while his value is high.
It's hard to tell what kind of compensation the Eagles will want for Carter, but the Jaguars most definitely have the ammo to trade for him. While they don't have a first-round pick in 2026, they have three picks in Round 3.
Keep in mind that Jacksonville tried to trade for Quinnen Williams before last year's deadline, so doens't come as a shock that James Gladstone is once again trying to trade for a defensive tackle.
Why it makes sense for the Jagaurs to trade for Jalen Carter
Jalen Carter would give the Jaguars an immediate solution to bolster their defensive line, as he would round out a rotation that includes DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead.
Hamilton is a trumper against the run but doesn't offer much pass-rush juice. Armstead may have his contract restructured, but he could also get released this offseason. Whether he stays or not, trading for Carter would allow the front office to address other needs.
With Carter in the fold, Jacksonville could use most of its draft picks in Rounds 2 and 3 to add reinforcements at cornerback and the pass rush. Similarly, targeting Anthony Hill Jr. or Jacob Rodriguez as potential replacements for linebacker Devin Lloyd would make sense at No. 56.
Just as free agency is starting to heat up, it looks like James Gladstone is once again ready to make another splash signing. Last year, he moved up for two-way start Travis Hunter in the draft and later traded for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers at the deadline. This time, it could be Jalen Carter.