Jaguars spend draft capital on three-day defense overhaul
Jacksonville acquired Jordan Davis, Jessie Bates, and Davon Godchaux just before the deadline to challenge for a title.
By Adriana Abebe ·
The Jacksonville Jaguars committed a substantial amount of future draft capital on Monday to restructure their defense. The team executed three separate trades just before the NFL trade deadline, signaling an immediate push for a Super Bowl berth.
The centerpiece of the move involved defensive tackle Jordan Davis, who joined Jacksonville from the Philadelphia Eagles. In exchange, the Jaguars surrendered a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. Davis, 26, was selected in the first round of the 2022 draft by Philadelphia.
Earlier in the day, the Jaguars also acquired safety Jessie Bates from the Atlanta Falcons. The deal cost Jacksonville a second-round and a fifth-round draft pick. The team further bolstered its interior line by trading a sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.
The Jaguars hold a 6-2 record and have won five of their last six games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tied for fourth in the league with 18 touchdown passes and carries a 5th-best quarterback rating of 111.7. The offense ranks fourth in the NFL in scoring, while the defense stands second in allowing points.
Coaches identified a need to improve performance against elite rushing attacks, such as the Buffalo Bills, in the postseason. The new additions aim to strengthen the interior of the defensive line and the secondary to address that specific vulnerability.
The Philadelphia Eagles, who hold the worst record in the NFC, absorbed the cost of the trades. The organization has already moved on from A.J. Brown and Cam Jurgens. With veteran Lane Johnson retired and uncertainty surrounding quarterback Jalen Hurts due to a blood clot, Philadelphia is banking on future assets.
The Eagles now possess two first-round picks in 2027 and two first-round picks in 2028. They also hold two second-round picks in 2029. This accumulation of capital allows the team to rebuild while Jacksonville spends its future to win now.
