With a two and six record, multiple injuries across the roster, and a tough schedule, the Jaguars trade deadline candidates should be bountiful in 2024. The Jaguars vs Packers week eight loss turned the Jaguars from potential playoff contenders to trade targets for competing teams.
Jaguars Trade Deadline Candidates for 2024
There are a lot of issues with the Jaguars roster, including the offense suffering injuries like Christian Kirk breaking his collarbone, and Travis Etienne Jr. dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. The Jacksonville Jaguars are primed to make multiple moves at the deadline and have already begun to dive into their roster.
Cam Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a conditional fourth-round pick. The Jaguars offensive line takes a hit to its depth, but Walker Little comes in as the backup blindside protector for Trevor Lawrence. There are a plethora of other positions across the roster that Jacksonville’s front office should dip into to get draft pick compensation going forward. Two main Jaguars trade deadline candidates should be moved before the trade deadline.
Moving Off Etienne
It’s been rumored for some time now, but the Jaguars should be ready to move off of Etienne for some draft pick compensation. There is always a team that needs a running back, and with Tank Bigsby showcasing his potential whilst Etienne was out, there is a lot more reason to move Etienne. Bigsby showcased his potential in the Jaguars vs Patriots week seven victory for Jacksonville, where he ran for over 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Another factor is how Etienne is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and the Jaguars would do well with moving off him to get a draft pick in return. One team that would have some interest in Etienne is the Dallas Cowboys, despite Jerry Jones insisting the team won’t make any trade deadline moves. But, the Cowboys make sense for Etienne, especially with how much the running back room has struggled.
While injuries are a part of the game, there haven’t been many running back injuries in 2024. If one were to go down, and the backups on the roster weren’t adequate, Etienne would be the best running back available. The Jaguars could decide to keep Etienne, but for the sake of further seeing what Bigsby has and for bringing in draft capital, the Jaguars should look to move off the former Clemson running back.
Dipping Into The Linebacker Room
A position group that has been one of the deepest in the leagues, and the Jaguars linebackers are a great asset to utilize at the trade deadline. Ventrell Miller is one of the only players who will likely not be moved, as he has shown some potential while Foyesade Oluokun has been out. Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are the two players that the Jaguars should consider moving for the right price.
While the defense has struggled, the Jaguars linebackers haven’t been the problem. Oluokun and Lloyd have been solid, and Miller has filled in well for the two when they’ve dealt with injuries. Chad Muma has been the odd man out, and when he’s gotten on the field he’s been solid. Muma, Oluokun, or Lloyd should be on the move. No one team could use one of these linebackers, as most teams would benefit from adding players on defense, especially linebackers.
Final Trade Deadline Outlook
The Jaguars have faced their fair share of problems, and the 2025 season is rapidly approaching. A loss to the Philadelphia Eagles would effectively end their 2024 playoff campaign, and Jacksonville would likely move off some of the key players mentioned at running back and linebacker.
It’s an inflection point for the Jaguars’ foreseeable future, and the Jaguars should be prepared to move off some of their assets to set themselves up for success in the future, regardless of whether the general manager and coaching staff returns for 2025.
The Jaguars have a lot of great young assets to build off of going forward, including one of the five best rookies in the NFL with Brian Thomas Jr. While a rebuild for Jacksonville isn’t an ideal scenario, the Jaguars would be closer to a retooling than a rebuild with Lawrence, Thomas, and Bigsby. The offense has a lot of great pieces, and the defense has a few key components that can lead toward success in the future with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
Overall, the Jaguars are at a point in the season, and in their current iteration of the team, where the Jaguars should explore moves to bolster the draft capital for future success, as the current Jaguars team will face too much of an uphill battle to make the postseason. It could be a busy trade deadline for Jacksonville, and multiple key pieces can be on the move to contenders.
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