It is Let’s make a deal day in the NFL, with the trading window closing at 4 p.m. ET. And the agreements reached on Monday could become a complication.
The Jaguars gave up a lot for two of the three players acquired. As for safety Jessie Bates III, he was a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick. For defensive tackle Jordan Davis (a stopper with 52 percent playing time), it was a first-round pick and a second-round pick.
These agreements will loom over today’s discussions. Teams considering trading players will, on some level, be concerned about the perception that they didn’t get enough, relative to what the Jaguars invested on Monday.
If the Jaguars wanted this, they are next level super geniuses. Go all out, acquire players who will help the team reach and win the Super Bowl, and make it harder for other contenders to do the same today.
As for Jacksonville receiver Brian Thomas Jr., a 2024 first-round pick who had 1,282 yards as a rookie and doesn’t fit with the current offense, that could also translate to a better haul, if/when the Rams join the effort (which includes the Chiefs, Steelers and Commanders) to pry Thomas away from the Jaguars.
Whatever the motivation(s), Monday’s trades by the Jaguars could make it more difficult to get deals done on Tuesday. Most notably, this could lead to the Colts deciding not to accept the best offer on the table for running back Jonathan Taylor.
With the Giants offering a two and a five, would the Colts be willing to accept for Taylor what the Jaguars gave up for Bates? How much more will it take for the Colts to believe this is a good return given the investment made to get Bates?
Either way, if not much happens at the deadline, the wrench thrown in the works by the Jaguars could be a factor in that.
Gn sports
