Before and during the early stages of free agency, the Jacksonville Jaguars restructured a handful of contracts to free up cap space. That said, they may need a bit more to make any further signings and get their rookie class under contract. Right now, it doesn't look like the Jags will rework more deals, but they still get a cap relief by trading one player who may not be part of their long-term plans.
While Brian Thomas Jr. has routinely been brought up in trade chatter, it doesn't look like Jacksonville is trading him. On the other hand, the team's brass might be willing to shop an underwhelming offensive lineman if teams call. Heck, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes the Detroit Lions could be a potential suitor.
The Jaguars are urged to trade Walker Little to the Detroit Lions to replace Taylor Decker
Moe Moton came up with a list of trades every NFL contender needs to make to address their biggest weaknesses. Leaving aside that he didn't include the Jaguars, Moton suggests the Detroit Lions acquire left tackle Walker Little to replace Taylor Decker, arguing that they need to find a capable blindside protector for Jed Goff. Here's the skinny.
"Before free agency, the Detroit Lions released longtime offensive tackle Taylor Decker, creating a void on quarterback Jared Goff's blind side," Moton wrote. "They signed Larry Borom, but he's a placeholder and has been on three teams in three years."
On the other hand, Moton argues that the Jaguars can afford to trade Little after making Cole Van Lanen the starting left tackle in 2025.
"The Lions can aim higher for a better upgrade at a premium position to protect Goff, who's not fleet of foot. They could land Walker Little, who lost his starting job at left tackle to Cole Van Lanen at the end of the previous season," Moton said.
A second-round pick in 2021, Little flashed when thrust into action but was stuck behind Cam Robinson in his first three NFL seasons. It wasn't until the Jags traded Robinson in 2024 that Little became the left tackle full-time. Not long after he became the starter, he was given a three-year, $40.5 million extension.
Firmly entrenched as Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector after 2024, Little didn't face any competition in the offseason. Once the regular season came, he struggled to the point that he was benched in favor of Van Lanen.
The Jags wasted no time signing Van Lanen to a lucrative extension in 2025, which has raised doubts about Little's future in Jacksonville. If they trade him before June 1, they could free up $7.264 million in space with a dead money hit of $7.2 million.
Jacksonville might get a fourth or fifth-round pick at best for Little, but it would still be better than outright cutting him.
Why it makes sense for the Jaguars to trade Walker Little
Before free agency, Rasheed Walker was floated as a potential heir apparent for Taylor Decker, but he's since signed with the Carolina Panthers. And with the free agency pool having already shrunk, the Lions may need to trade for help at left tackle if they want to address other needs in the draft.
The Jaguars, for their part, could definitely trade Walker Little. Aside from Cole Van Lanen, they drafted Wyatt Milum last year. The former West Virginia Mountaineer can line up at guard or left tackle, so he offers the team plenty of flexibility.
But even with Cole Van Lanen and Milum in the mix, Jacksonville could add one or even two offensive tackles in the draft. They currently have 11 selections should be able to invest a couple of draft picks after addressing their biggest needs.
Simply put, the Jaguars would answer the phone if the Lions came calling about Walker Little.