The Jacksonville Jaguars were interested in acquiring defensive end Danielle Hunter in the offseason but they couldn't strike a with the Minnesota Vikings. Their pass rush could still use some help and there might be a handful of enticing options available before the NFL trade deadline. Washington Commanders' defensive end Chase Young might be the best of the bunch.
Young is one of the best pass rushers in the league right now. His pass-rush win rate of 20.6 percent and his 18.2 percent pressure rate rank ninth in the NFL. The fact that he's in a contract year and the Commanders might have trouble paying him and Montez Sweat make him a potential trade candidate.
Although outside linebacker Travon Walker has made progress in Year 2, the Jaguars need a bookend pass rusher opposite Josh Allen, who's having a banner season. Young would be an ideal fit. Insider Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report believes a third or second-round pick could get a deal done.
Talking #Commanders and Chase Young/Montez Sweat ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 25, 2023
🎥: @BleacherReport @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/FjBHeeld9w
In addition to sending draft compensation to the Commanders, the Jaguars would probably need to give Young a contract extension. While that seems a price a bit too steep to pay, it may be worth it. Here are three reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars should pull off the trigger and two why they shouldn't.
No. 3 reason the Jacksonville Jaguars should acquire Chase Young
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster their pass rush
There's no doubt outside linebacker Josh Allen has earned a contract extension. The former Kentucky Wildcat is among the best pass rushers in the league and is on pace to set career highs in pretty much every meaningful defensive category. Similarly, Travon Walker has made progress in Year 2, ranking 26th in total pressures and 56th in win rate among 177 players with at least 50 rushes in the NFL.
However, the Jags could use another game-changer opposite Allen. You could make the case that Walker is that player but trading for Chase Young would give Jacksonville a third pass rusher to round out their rotation. Also, having Young in the fold would allow the coaching staff to deploy Walker in a three-point stance, where he excels at creating havoc.
The bottom line is that Walker may need another year to hit his potential but the Jaguars need an impact edge rusher right now. They would get him if they traded for Young.
No. 2 reason the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn't acquire Chase Young
The Jacksonville Jaguars will soon get DaVon Hamilton back
The Jacksonville Jaguars had several chances to bolster the pass rush in the offseason but opted not to. They showed interest in signing Yannick Ngakoue before the draft but ultimately opted not to. They later brought in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and Calais Campbell for a visit but both left without a deal.
One reason the Jags might've passed up the chance to pursue any of these pass rushers, along with Frank Clark and Leonard Floyd, is that they had just signed defensive end DaVon Hamilton to a three-year deal worth $34 million in April. The team's brass expected "Ham" to have a breakout season and he had an outstanding training camp. However, he suffered a non-football injury in the preseason that forced Jacksonville to place him on the Injured Reserve list before the season started.
Hamilton's window to return from IR was activated early in October and he's been a full participant in practice the last two weeks. He says he feels great to be back and is only waiting for the coaching staff to give him the green light.
Having played defensive tackle in previous seasons, Hamilton switched to defensive end in training camp. For the time being, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Adam Gotsis, and Angelo Blackson have done a solid job of filling in for Hamilton, but he's the best of the bunch and will give both the pass rush and run defense a boost.
For that reason, his incoming return could make a potential trade for Chase Young (or any other pass rusher) unnecessary.
No. 2 reason the Jacksonville Jaguars should acquire Chase Young
Chase Young could potentially turn the Jaguars into a Super Bowl contender
Head coach Doug Pederson deserves praise for helping right the ship. However, he wouldn't have been able to take the Jaguars to the playoffs and win the first AFC South title since 2017 last year if he didn't have enough playmakers at his disposal.
It hasn't been perfect but general manager Trent Baalke deserves credit for replenishing the roster over the last two seasons and keeping several players the previous regime brought in. Most of the players he signed in free agency have become key contributors. Also, he's done a good job of surrounding Trevor Lawrence with the best possible supporting cast.
Not surprisingly, the Jaguars are 5-2 and have a two-game lead in the AFC South as of this writing. That's been possible because they have a well-rounded roster, one without too many weaknesses. Moreover, things that were holding them back early in the regular season are no longer an issue, whether it's drops or pass protection.
The one area the Jaguars could still address is the pass rush and trading for Chase Young would take care of it.
No. 1 reason the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn't acquire Chase Young
Acquring Chase Young may hinder the Jaguars ability to lock up other players
There's no doubt Chase Young would turn the Jaguars' pass rush into one of the best in the league. Also, parting ways with second and third-round picks would be worth it if Jacskonville made a deep playoff push. That said, trading for Young may limit the team's ability to reinforce the roster next year.
For the sake of argument, let's say the Jags give Washington second and third-round picks. Heck, the third-rounder is due until 2025. Still, that's two selections less the Jaguars will have at their disposal. Many of their players are either eligible for an extension or set to hit the open market next year. Simply, the Jags won't have enough cap space to bring them all back.
Josh Allen and Calvin Ridley are slated to become free agents next offseason and both of them will most likely command top-market compensation. Furthermore, Jacksonville will need to give the Atlanta Falcons their second-round pick if they re-sign Ridley. If they trade for Chase Young, the Jags might have to choose between locking up Allen and Ridley.
Compounding the issue is that Trevor Lawrence, safety Andre Cisco, Tyson Campbell, and offensive tackle Walker Little will be eligible for contracts in 2024. While the top brass doesn't need to re-sign any of them next year, they should start inking at least a couple of them. Otherwise, they could have a logjam in 2025. By having Young in the mix, they might not be able to have everyone under contract, and the Jags will have to make some tough decisions as soon as next year.
No. 1 reason the Jacksonville Jaguars should acquire Chase Young
The Jaguars can make it work and retain most of their core players
It's true that the Jaguars would be without a couple of early draft picks and experience cap constraints if they traded for Chase Young. However, they can work around the cap and look for ways to re-sign as many of their core players as possible.
This past offseason, the front office restructured several contracts to get under the cap and they could do it again next year. Moreover, they could create around $17 million in cap space if they released or traded Cam Robinson. They could also recoup a mid-round pick, maybe a second if they traded him given the demand for left tackles in the league. Either way, the Jaguars would know how to navigate the cap room.
On top of that, the Jaguars have done a good job of drafting and developing late-round picks. For instance, cornerbacks Gregory Junior and Montaric Brown, a sixth and seventh-round pick in last year's draft, have improved considerably.
In the same manner, rookies Parker Washington, defensive end Tyler Lacy, and defensive back Antonio Johnson could step into bigger roles in 2024. This could mitigate the lack of draft picks and cap space Jacksonville would need to deal with if they trade for Chase Young.
In the end, the benefits of trading for Chase Young outweigh the potential risks. They would need to make a significant investment but they would also get a difference-maker that could increase their odds of making the Super Bowl this season.