The Jacksonville Jaguars will have several intriguing options at No. 5 in the NFL Draft, but it doesn't look like they'll take a receiver (unless Travis Hunter is available). That said, the Jags shouldn't neglect the position, and if they want to ensure they land one of the top prospects, maybe they should consider a trade pitch Jordan Reid of ESPN suggested.
Reid put together a proposal in which the Jags get picks No. 32 and No. 168 in exchange for picks No. 36 and No. 107. And with the last pick in Round 1, they chose either Emeka Egbuka or Luther Burden III. They're two of the top receivers in this year's class, and both of them are expected to go late in the first or early in the second.
When discussing the pitch, Reid argues that Jaguars general manager James Gladstone was part of a Los Angeles Rams front office that wasn't afraid to take a swing to get its guys. Here's the skinny:
" The Philadelphia Eagles trade Nos. 32 and 168 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Nos. 36 and 107. With 10 draft picks, Jacksonville can be aggressive in addressing holes on the roster. Finding a WR2 alongside Brian Thomas Jr. should be a priority. If Missouri's Luther Burden III or Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka are on the board at the end of the first round, then this is a move that's worth making. New general manager James Gladstone was part of a Rams front office that wasn't afraid to make a bold trade up for a player. Los Angeles did it last year to get Braden Fiske."
Basically, the Jags are swapping a fourth-rounder for a fifth for the 32nd overall. And while there's a chance that either Egbuka or Burden will be available at No. 36, drafting them in the first would give Jacksonville the right to exercise their fifth-year option.
Egbuka would be a solid replacement for Christian Kirk, having mostly played in the slot on the Buckeyes offense. Although he has a less-than-ideal catch radius, his crisp route-running and change of direction will allow him to thrive in the NFL. Like his Ohio State counterpart, Burden mostly lined up inside and routinely excelled at creating plays after the catch because of his ability to break tackles and post-catch burst.
It's also worth noting that the Jaguars are reportedly interested in Egbuka and fellow receiver Jack Bech. By pulling off this trade, they would ensure that they get their guy.
The Jaguars draft Luther Burden III or Emeka Egbuka after getting the 32nd pick from the Eagles
Parker Washington, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, proved to be a capable replacement for Christian Kirk when he filled in for him last year. The former Penn State Nittany Lion finished the year with 32 catches for 390 yards with three touchdowns. Those numbers would probably be better if he's given a bigger role next season. That said, the Jacksonville Jaguars are making an effort to raise the roster floor, so nobody should bat an eye if they add reinforcements to the wide receiver corps in the NFL Draft.
Keep in mind that the Jags are missing a true No. 2 opposite Brian Thomas Jr. Sure, they signed Dyami Brown in free agency, and Washington showed growth in 2024. However, Brown may only be around for one year, and the team may want to bring a receiver with bigger upside than Washington. Add the fact that Gabe Davis doesn't appear to be part of Jacksonville's long-term plans, and drafting a receiver seems like a reasonable course of action.
For this reason, Jordan Reid's proposal is appealing. Not only do the Jacksonville Jaguars add a weapon to Trevor Lawrence's arsenal, but they get access to his fifth-year option. When you take into account that all it takes is a swap of draft picks, this is a move they should strongly consider if the opportunity arises.
Grade: B+