The Jacksonville Jaguars just gave their secondary a massive boost when they traded for Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates. However, they still have ample time to make more deals before the November 10 deadline.
Cameron Wolfe of NFL Media reported that the Jags were looking for help at safety and the interior defensive line. Having checked the former box, they can next add a defensive tackle. Granted, they just gave up a second and a fifth in exchange for Bates, but they still have enough ammo and an intriguing trade chip to add reinforcements at defensive tackle.
Why the Jaguars need to add a defensive tackle after trading for Jessie Bates?
Dating back to the offseason, the interior defensive line was a glaring need for the Jaguars. However, they didn't do a good job of addressing it. They did trade for Ruke Orhorhoro before the draft and later selected Albert Regis in Round 3. However, Orhorhoro has been unremarkable, and Regis hasn't done much of note thus far.
Meanwhile, Arik Armstead has had his moments but hasn't been consistent. When you factor in that Jacksonville lost DaVon Hamilton for the season, it's painfully obvious that they need to bolster their interior defensive line.
Heck, even before Ham was done for the year, the team's brass was already looking for reinforcements at defensive tackle. His absence only intensifies the pursuit.
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How the defensive tackle market looks like ahead of the trade deadline
If the Jaguars want to trade for a defensive tackle after trading for Jessie Bates III, they will have options. They were reportedly interested in Jeffery Simmons even though the Tennessee Titans weren't going to trade him within the division. Still, their interest in Simmons is noteworthy because the Chicago Bears gave up two first-round selections for him.
It's fair to assume that if the Jags were willing to meet the Titans' ask for Simmons, they'd probably be willing to pay a premium for a defensive tackle. And two players fit the bill: Derrick Brown and Jalen Carter.
It doesn't seem like the Carolina Panthers or the Philadelphia Eagles are open to trading Brown and Carter, respectively. However, Jacksonville could make an offer for either one that neither club could refuse. But if both of them are off limits, general manager James Gladstone can turn his attention to Moro Ojomo.
Maybe the Eagles want to move Carter, but Ojomo may be available for the right price. While Ojomo isn't nearly as dominant as Carter, acquiring him would be cheaper, probably a third or second-round pick. Moreover, he's still on his rookie deal, so Jacksonville wouldn't have to absorb a big cap hit.
Granted, the Jags just sent their second to the Falcons, but maybe they could put together a package that includes a third and another selection, possibly a fifth. Moreover, they could use Brian Thomas Jr. as a trade chip. Either way, Ojomo would be a viable pivot.
Apart from Ojomo, the Jags could explore a trade for Christian Barmore. He isn't great at stopping the run but could give the Jacksonville interior pass rush a massive boost, and all it would take is probably a fourth-round pick.
Simply put, the Jaguars will have options to bolster the interior defensive line. As of this writing, there's still enough time to get a deal done. Stay tuned to see what they're cooking.
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