The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn't make many big moves in free agency because they didn't have much cap space. While they managed to retain some core contributors such as cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Devin Lloyd, their only external addition was running back Chris Rodriguez. Then again, their dearth of signings allowed them to get three compensatory draft picks due to departures of linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, and cornerback Greg Newsome.
General manager James Gladstone said that those compensatory picks will allow the Jags to make trades to address needs down the road. In fact, they could come in handy if the team's brass pursues Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
Why would the Jaguars want to trade for Dolphins pass rusher Zach Sieler?
Since Jon Eric-Sulivan and Jeff Hafley became their general manager and head coach, respectively, the Dolphins have given their roster a makeover, trading players such as Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jaylen Waddle, and releasing Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb.
This roster turnover makes sense when you take into account that the new Miami decision-makers want to bring in their own guys and move on from players who don't fit their vision. By trading players they inherited from their past regime, they can amass the resources to revamp the team.
After trading Waddle, the Phins have racked up seven picks in the upcoming draft but could still get more if they traded running back Da'von Achane and defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
While several teams could target Achane, the Jags have no use for him because they have the trio of Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen Jr. That said, Sieler would give their interior trenches a massive boost.
A seventh-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Sieler was traded to the Phins just one year later. But even after landing in Miami, it took him a bit to hit his stride, registering just 10 sacks in his first five seasons. However, once he put it all together, he became a mainstay of the Miami defense, tallying 25.5 sacks dating back to 2023.
Moreover, Sieler can line up inside or on the edge. That kind of versatility would give the Jaguars plenty of flexibility on defense. This begs the question: What kind of compensation would get a deal done?
Grade the pitch: The Jaguars trade for Zach Sieler in return for 2 draft picks
As noted before, the Jaguars have three compensatory picks in 2027 but also have 11, including three in Round 3, this year. Those selections could allow them to make trades to address the larger scale roster. For the sake of the argument, let's say Zach Sieler were available, the Dolphins just gave him a three-year, $67.7 million extension in 2025. Trading him before June 1 would accelerate a cap hit of $3.8 million and leave $14.3 million in dead money.
That's plenty of dead money, but the prospect of getting more draft picks could prompt Miami to eat it up. So let's say the Jaguars wanted to trade for him, they could offer a third-round selection (perhaps the 88th overall) and one of their fifth-round selections (they have an additional one after trading Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles last year).
The Jags would be getting a pass rusher that once and for all addresses the interior defensive line, their biggest need after the first wave of free agency.
Sieler would round out a group that includes Arik Armstead, DaVon Hamilton, and Maason Smith, turning a potential weakness into a reliable group.
Grade: B+