4 trades that could help the Jacksonville Jaguars reclaim the AFC South in 2024

The Jacksonville Jaguars are keeping the band together. Besides applying the franchise tag on outside linebacker, they re-signed left guard Ezra Cleveland and special teams ace Daniel Thomas. Moreover, they restructure right guard Brandon Scherff's contract to create space. With that extra savings, maybe they'll extend wide receiver Calvin Ridley next.

But even if the Jags manage to retain Ridley — with or without giving up their second-round pick — they could still use plenty of talent across the roster. Free agency will most definitely offer plenty of options but they could also acquire a handful of difference-makers via trade. These four in particular would immediately turn them into favorites to win the AFC South next season.

4. Paulson Adebo, cornerback

The Jaguars created a need at cornerback when they released Darious Williams in a cap-saving move. Granted, the $11 million they got will help them address other positions free agency. That said, they'll now need to find a starter opposite Tyson Campbell. L'Jarius Sneed makes plenty of sense, especially if they can get him for a second-round pick.

However, Paulson Adebo may be an even better fit in Jacksonville. For starters, the Jags wouldn't need to give him an extension right off the bat, like they would if they traded for Sneed. Adebo is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, so the front office could take a wait-and-see approach in 2024. Another thing that could incentivize the Jags to acquire the former Stanford Cardinal is that he previously played for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Nielsen was the New Orleans Saints assistant head coach/defensive line coach and later co-defensive coordinator when they drafted Nielsen in 2021. While the Jags could replace Williams in free agency and the draft, they could get Nielsen a familiar face to install his scheme and have success right off the bat.

Adebo posted a career-best 78.1 Pro Football Focus overall grade last year. On top of that, he registered nine passes defensed and four interceptions. The Jags could most definitely use that kind of production at the corner position.