The Jacksonville Jaguars were reportedly looking for defensive tackle help ahead of the November 10 deadline. Based on a recent update, though, they'll need to take Daron Payne off their wish list.
Just a couple of days before the Washington Commanders faced the San Francisco 49ers, they listed Payne as questionable after suffering a foot injury in practice. A few hours after the original injury report, he was downgraded to out, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Media breaking the news that the veteran defensive tackle might land on season-ending Injured Reserve.
But even if Payne manages to return at some point of the year, trading him is no longer an option for the Jaguars, or any other team, for that matter.
The Jaguars will have to look for other options to bolster their interior D-Line
The Jaguars have been seen as a potential trade fit for Daron Payne, but the news that he's out for the season immediately takes him off the table. Compounding the issue is that Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the Philadelphia Eagles aren't interested in trading Moro Ojomo, effectively narrowing down the defensive-tackle trade market.
Ojomo may have been the best option for teams looking for help at defensive tackle, but Payne wasn't far behind. That leaves the Jaguars with way fewer options ahead of the deadline. Probably Zach Sieler is the best alternative left, with Ojomo and Payne off the list.
Granted, it's possible that Philly is just playing hardball in an effort to drive up Ojomo's price — Payne's injury could definitely help — but if that's the case, Jacksonville may be better off looking somewhere else for reinforcements on the interior defensive line.
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The Jaguars could target Zach Sieler after the latest Daron Payne update
With Jeffery Simmons and DeForest Buckner going to the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers, respectively, the defensive-tackle market is quickly drying up, so it will be interesting to see what the Jaguars do. As noted before, Zach Sieler may be their best pivot moving forward.
Sieler registered a combined 25.0 sacks the past three years and has recorded 2.0 this season. But unlike Moro Ojomo and Daron Payne, he isn't in a contract season. In fact, he signed a three-year deal in 2025 that runs through 2029. Of course, the Jags probably wouldn't mind keeping him around beyond 2026 if he shows out.
Of course, it all comes down to what the Miami Dolphins' asking price is. They're in the midst of a rebuild, so they'll want to get as many assets as they can to replenish their roster. If the Phins ask for a second, Jacksonville may be better off passing up.
The bottom line is that Daron Payne was a viable trade candidate but not the only one, so the Jaguars have no excuse not to bolster the interior defensive line at the deadline.
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