The Jacksonville Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after including it in a package to move up for two-way star Travis Hunter last year. That said, nobody would bat an eye if the Jags moved all the way from No. 56 into the first round when you take into account that general manager James Gladstone isn't afraid to take a wild swing.
On top of that, several teams may want to trade back to acquire more picks. Both the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills would be ideal trade partners. But just recently, an NFL analyst came up with an appealing idea for Gladstone that includes left tackle Walker Little.
The Jaguars are pitched to trade Walker Little to move into 1st round and draft Kayden McDonald
Moe Moton of Bleacher Report drew up a list of trade pitches for every pick in the first round. He suggests the Miami Dolphins send the 30th overall selection and a fourth-round selection to Jacksonville in return for Walker Little and pick No. 56. Here's why it would make sense from the Phins' standpoint.
"The Dolphins need a starting offensive tackle on Malik Willis' blind side. It should be a priority rather than a by-chance addition at the end of Round 1," Moton wrote. "Nonetheless, the Dolphins pull off a good deal, acquiring additional picks to rebuild their roster and an offensive tackle who has 39 starts on his resume. Little lost the lead left tackle job to Cole Van Lanen at the end of the previous campaign, but he's still a starting-caliber player."
With the 30th overall selection, Moton has the Jags taking Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, arguing that he would give their interior defensive line a massive boost right off the bat.
One added benefit of trading Little would be that it would free up $7.2 million in space with $7.2 million in dead money. Those savings would come in handy if they wanted to sign veteran free agents after the draft.
The downside would be that the Jags would have no insurance at left tackle while left tackle Cole Van Lanen recovers from a knee injury he sustained late in 2025.
The Jaguars can afford to trade Walker Little and draft Kayden McDonald
There's a chance Kayden McDonald won't make it to No. 30, but if he is, it would most definitely make sense for the Jaguars to trade up. That said, it's not a given that they'll address the interior defensive line after acquiring Ruke Orhororo. Having taken care of what was arguably their biggest need ahead of the draft, the Jags can now turn their attention to the pass rush, cornerback, and the interior defensive line.
On the other hand, if the chance arises, Jacksonville could definitely trade Walker Little, but only if they want to add an offensive tackle in the draft. They have three picks in Round 3, so they could use one of them on left tackle. Florida's Austin Barber should still be on the board at that point in the draft, and he would be an intriguing option.
It's also worth noting that sophomore Waytt Milum is in the fold. And if the team's brass is comfortable about his progress, he would give the Jags another option at left tackle. On the other hand, if they want to jump into the first round without trading Walker Little, they have the draft ammo to pull it off.
Either way, the Jaguars have no shortage of options to move into the first round to take Kayden McDonald.
Grade: B+
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