4 offseason trades the Jacksonville Jaguars can make to immediately get better
Free agency is around the corner and teams are preparing accordingly. In the next few days, you'll see clubs releasing players, and restructuring contracts to be in a position to make a signing or two. The Jacksonville Jaguars, for their part, haven't been particularly active in recent weeks, but that should change soon.
The Jags currently have around $11 million in space but they'll get ample room for maneuvering once they make a few moves. Having said that, free agency isn't the only way they can get better. Armed with nine draft picks, they could also pull off a trade or two if they wanted to. In fact, here are four players they could target to address some of their biggest needs.
4. Laken Tomlinson, offensive guard
Although center may be a bigger need this offseason, the Jaguars cannot overlook the left guard spot. Last year, they had a revolving door at the position once Ben Bartch showed he wasn't 100 percent recovered from a knee injury he sustained in 2022.
After Bartch was benched, Walker Little, Tyler Shatley, and Ezra Cleveland, who arrived via trade at the deadline, took turns at left guard. Cleveland dealt with injury and didn't truly hit his stride. He's scheduled to become a free agent but he should be given a chance to prove he could be a mainstay. If the Jags decide to let him walk, they could then try to acquire Laken Tomlinson from the New York Jets.
A former first-round pick, Tomlinson has played for the Detroit Lions, the San Francisco 49ers, and most recently the Jets. While he hasn't been nearly as dominant in New York as he was during his two-year stint with the Niners, he's done an adequate job.
Tomlinson is set to make $18 million in free agency but New York could create $8.1 million in space if they deal him. Of course, the team that traded for him would have to take on that amount. While there will be better options in the open market, he may be cheaper, so the Jaguars should inquire about him if they don't re-sign Cleveland or miss out on the top guards in free agency.