3 trades the Jaguars can make to address biggest needs ahead of the 2023 season
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't make any splash acquisitions in the offseason but they did a good job of revamping most position groups in free agency and the draft. Heading into the 2023 NFL season, they're relatively healthy and in a favorable position to pick up where they left off last year.
That said, the Jags still have a few roster holes and it would be a good idea to address them before the opener. They could do it by making any of these three trades in the upcoming weeks.
No. 3 trade the Jaguars can make before the 2023 season: Matt Hennessy, OL
Left guard Ben Bartch dislocated his knee last year and is recovering. He started training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list and it might still be a few weeks before he's a full-go. After Bartch got hurt, veteran Tyler Shatley took his spot in the lineup and went on to start 12 games in the regular season and two in the playoffs.
Shatley got work with the first team early in training camp but went into AFib during practice. He was away for a few days but is back at practice with the Jags. He isn't a full-go yet and during his absence, Blake Hance, who was in the practice squad last year, has filled in for him.
Jaguars veteran OL Tyler Shatley had an incidence of atrial fibrillation after practice on Wednesday, per head coach Doug Pederson. Shatley will be in uniform and work off to the side today but has not yet been fully cleared.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) August 5, 2023
Although Shatley and Bartch are expected to return, it would be a good idea to add depth to the interior offensive line. And one player the Jags should set their sights on is Matt Hennessy of the Atlanta Falcons.
A third-round pick in the 2020 draft, Hennessy has appeared in 41 games with 22 starts over the last three seasons. While he has room for improvement in pass protection, he does well as a run blocker. It's worth noting that he's got the flexibility to line up at guard and center, which is something the Jaguars would welcome to their interior offensive line.
So why would the Falcons trade Hennessy? Simple, they have rookie Matthew Bergeron waiting in the wings. Hennessy and Bergeron are competing for the starting job at left guard but the coaching staff might feel tempted to move on from the former to pave the way for the latter.