Although the pass rush isn't a top priority for the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, they must round out their rotation. Sure, they have a pair of dominant defensive ends in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, but they need a No. 3 that can keep the duo fresh without a decline in production. An intriguing option in the AFC South will be available, and the Jags shouldn't hesitate to reach out to their divisional foe.
With free agency looming, Adam Schefter reports that the Tennessee Titans gave Harold Landry III permission to seek a trade.
Even though Landry isn't nearly as explosive as he was before he suffered an ACL injury in 2022, he's still a productive player, having registered a combined 19.5 sacks the past two seasons. But despite his solid numbers, he's no longer in the Titans' plans.
For starters, there's a new sheriff in town. Tennessee fired Ran Carthon and hired Mike Borgonzi to fill their general manager vacancy. Add the fact that moving on from Landry would create $10.9 million with $13.1 million in dead money, and it's easy to see why the Titans want to part ways with the 2018 second-round pick.
Landry has a base salary of $17.5 million in 2025, which may limit his number of potential suitors. In fact, Paul Kuharski believes the Titans are bracing themselves for the possibility of not finding any trade partners.
This could ultimately incentivize Tennessee to listen to trade offers from the Jaguars. For the sake of the argument, let's say that's the case. Here's a proposal to get a deal done.
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The Jaguars give the Titans a late-round pick in exchange for Harold Landry III
Interdivisional trades aren't common in the NFL, but they do happen from time to time. And if the TenensssTennesseeee Titans were willing to ship Harold Landry to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a fifth-round selection that can become a fourth-rounder depending on playing incentives would make sense. Why?
The Jags would be taking on Landry's massive salary. As the Deebo Samuel trade proved, the bigger the salary a team is willing to take, the lower the compensation becomes. The San Francisco 49ers got only a fifth-round pick, but that's because the Washinton Commanders and on the hook for his $17.5 million salary for next season.
Given that Jacksonville would take on Landry's $17.5 million salary, a fifth-rounder seems like fair compensation. Of course, they could increase his guarantees in exchange for reducing his total compensation.
What grade would the Jaguars get with this Harold Landry trade proposal?
Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker combined for 18.5 sacks in 2024 and 27.5 the year prior. That said, they haven't gotten much production from their No. 3 pass rusher the past two seasons.
Back in 2023, K'Lavon Chaisson logged one sack and Arik Armstead had the same amount last season. In fact, Maason Smith's three sacks ranked third on the team last season. It's fair to say that the pass rush could use a boost, and Harold Landry would definitely pull it off.
If Landry stays healthy and registers around five or six sacks behind Walker and Hines-Allen, it will have been worth it, even if it's a bit expensive. Moreover, wouldn't be great to weaken a division foe? Having one of their players find success in Jacksonville would most definitely be the cherry on top.
Grade: A