The Jacksonville Jaguars started the 2025 season off with a bang. And initially, looked like they were legitimate playoff contenders. However, mistakes, penalties, and poor execution halted any progress the Jags had been making towards the offseason, as they lost two games in a row.
Thankfully, Jacksonville had a bye week after its back-to-back losses. This will hopefully help the team regroup and get back on track. But even more importantly, the NFL trade deadline is approaching, and for a team like the Jaguars — teetering on the cusp of greatness or, alternatively, failure — it's a golden opportunity they simply cannot afford to waste.
November 4 will be the last chance any team has to make changes to their roster, and while it's rumored that Jacksonville is looking to bolster the defense, the offense is the more pressing priority. A lot of attention has been paid to quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his development this season; he was expected to thrive under Liam Coen, but improvement has been slow to come. A large part of the issue, however, is a lack of reliable weapons for No. 16 to use, and there is a perfect trade candidate who could help the Jaguars offense finally take off.
Why Rashid Shaheed should be the Jaguars’ top trade target
Rashid Shaheed signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and wasted no time making a big mark on the team. After being elevated to the active roster from the practice squad in October, he ran for a 44-yard rushing touchdown on his first career touch, in his first-ever NFL game, and in his second game, caught a 53-yard touchdown pass.
Since then, Shaheed has been named to the Pro Bowl and was First Team All-Pro. So far this season, he is leading the Saints with 288 receiving yards, 22 catches, and two touchdowns; he seems to be on track to have a career season.
Shaheed is known to be a real deep threat, as well as a dangerous punt returner, the latter of which is what earned him his Pro Bowl nod. He could be a real benefit to the Jaguars' struggling offense, and there's no doubting he's a talented player; that's why multiple other teams are reportedly interested in signing him. And ESPN's Adam Schefter has warned that Shaheed is on his way out the door, a thought echoed by his fellow ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler.
A big part of the reason why Shaheed is likely to be a successful trade target is that his contract will be up after this season, and he'll be a free agent. New Orleans could be looking at a trade with the thought of, if they're going to lose their star wide receiver, they may as well get something out of it first.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Brian Thomas Jr. isn't leaving Jacksonville. But with him failing to make an impact so far this season, Shaheed would be a great trade for the Jaguars to look into. Travis Hunter has been fantastic so far, but Coen seems to be easing the star rookie into a more active role, so he hasn't made a huge impact so far.
Rashid Shaheed could help round out the Jacksonville wide receiver corps, and give Lawrence a good weapon to work with — someone who can offer blazing fast speed and the ability to make some seriously explosive plays.