Once again, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't disappoint. Just one day before the trade deadline, they acquired Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III. Just a few hours later, the team's brass bolstered their interior defensive line when they traded for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. But that was just a warm-up.
Right when it looked like the Jags had taken care of their biggest needs, they sent shockwaves across the NFL when they sent a 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
Not only will Davis give the Jacksonville interior defensive line an immediate boost, but he also turns an already talented team into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. This begs the question, just how good was the trade for the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle? Glad you asked; below is a breakdown of the trade.
What are the Jaguars getting in Jordan Davis?
The Jaguars lost defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton for the season during the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts. But even before that, they had already been looking for help at defensive tackle. With Ham out for the year, the pursuit only intensified.
While Davon Godchaux will help the Jags replace Hamilton's run-stuffing skills, they also needed a defensive tackle who could get after the quarterback and create pressure from the interior. Davis will fill that box.
A first-round pick by the Eagles in 2022, Davis excels at stopping the run and bringing the heat from inside. On the other hand, he's been somewhat underwhelming this season, registering just 1.5 sacks in nine games this season. Then again, he's been hampered by a wrist injury that has limited his ability to wreak havoc across the line of scrimmage.
It's fair to assume that Jacksonville will thrust Davis into action right away but will also manage his workload to ensure he's at his best whenever he plays. It's also worth mentioning that the former Georgia Bulldog will be reunited with former teammate Travon Walker, so their rapport could give the defensive line an overlooked edge.
Either way, Davis fills an immediate need, and based on the price the Jaguars paid, it's fair to assume that they had a long-term vision in mind when they made the trade.
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So what's the grade for the Jaguars trade to land Jordan Davis?
It wasn't cheap; there's no way to sugarcoat it. If you trade a first and a second for a player, you expect him to be a game-changer. The good news is that Jordan Davis has already proven to be one, posting back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns in 2025 and 2026. When you factor in that defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile will have an opportunity to unlock his full potential, the deal has massive upside.
From a financial perspective, the Eagles gave Davis a three-year deal worth $78 million with a $18.7 million signing bonus in the offseason. He has a base salary of $1.3 million for this season, but because the Jags traded for him on November 10, they only have to pick up the remaining $607,500 for the year. That amount can easily fit the team's spending budget.
Davis will have options of $17.1 million and $24.195 million in 2027 and 2028, respectively. All things considered, they're not cost-prohibitive, and it's fair to assume that the Jags will pay both based on the commitment they've made to him
When you add it all up, this was a solid, yet unexpected pivot for the Jaguars after targeting Jeffery Simmons and Moro Ojomo ahead of the trade deadline. It wasn't cheap, but Jordan Davis can help them get over the top and potentially turn them into a Super Bowl team.
Grade: B+
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