Three Jaguars trade deadline takeaways, from ‘F them picks’ to BTJ staying

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a major statement ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline, completing three deals to strengthen their defensive line and secondary. General manager James Gladstone used five future draft picks to bring in defensive tackle Jordan Davis, safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, addressing important roster weaknesses as the team looks to improve its chances this season.

Although Gladstone avoided describing the moves as an all-in push for the Super Bowl, the scale of Jacksonville’s investment suggests the franchise is prioritising immediate results over keeping all its future draft selections. The Jaguars also made a significant decision by refusing to trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., despite receiving interest from other teams.

Here are three major takeaways from Jacksonville’s activity before the NFL trade deadline.

Jaguars Make Three Defensive Trades Before the Deadline

Jacksonville completed three trades on Monday, acquiring experienced players to reinforce two important areas of its defence. The deals came after season-ending injuries to nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, who suffered a quad injury, and safety Eric Murray, who sustained an elbow injury.

The Jaguars sent a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for defensive tackle Jordan Davis. They also acquired safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection.

The third move brought defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints for a conditional 2027 sixth-round pick.

In total, Jacksonville gave up five draft selections, including three premium picks, to secure three veteran players. Two of the newcomers also bring Super Bowl experience. Davis has appeared in two Super Bowls and won one with Philadelphia, while Bates played in one with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Head coach Liam Coen welcomed the additions, saying:

“Huge for us to be able to continue to add to our already talented roster and competitive group.”

The trades were completed across approximately nine hours on Monday. Bates’ arrival was finalised shortly before 8 a.m. ET, followed by Godchaux around 1 p.m. ET and Davis shortly before 5 p.m. ET. All three players were at the Jaguars’ facility on Tuesday and took part in practice on Wednesday.

1. Gladstone Values Draft Picks but Prioritises Proven Talent

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Jacksonville’s trade activity is the number of future draft picks Gladstone was willing to sacrifice. The general manager has previously been associated with the famous “F them picks” approach from his time with the Los Angeles Rams, but he pushed back against the idea that Jacksonville does not value draft selections.

Gladstone explained that the Rams had the third-most draft picks in the NFL during his time working under general manager Les Snead. The slogan originated when Snead wore a T-shirt featuring the phrase and his face during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI parade following the 2021 season.

However, Jacksonville’s latest moves show that the franchise is willing to exchange future possibilities for players who can contribute immediately. The organisation appears to believe that experienced performers offer a more reliable solution to its current defensive problems than prospects who may take years to develop.

That approach is particularly relevant because the Jaguars had only two interior defensive linemen under contract for 2027: Albert Regis and Ruke Orhorhoro. Davis also arrives with a three-year contract extension he signed with Philadelphia that runs through 2029.

Gladstone defended the team’s philosophy while explaining that valuing draft picks does not necessarily mean using every selection during the annual NFL Draft.

“It’s certainly not ‘F them picks,'” Gladstone said. “While that’s been characterized as the approach … we actually value picks. We don’t always use them on the three days that exist in April.”

The central question is whether the investment will produce the results Jacksonville wants. If Davis, Bates and Godchaux help the Jaguars make a serious postseason run, the organisation could view the cost in future selections as worthwhile.

2. Jaguars Reject Trade Interest in Brian Thomas Jr.

While Jacksonville was willing to trade several valuable draft picks for defensive reinforcements, the franchise refused to consider moving wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars received calls from interested teams before the deadline, but their position remained clear: Thomas was not available.

The decision is notable because the young receiver has struggled to reproduce his impressive rookie-season production. Thomas has recorded just 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns this season. He also recently played the first game of his career without receiving a single target.

Despite those struggles, the Jaguars continue to view him as an important part of their offensive plans. Head coach Liam Coen said Thomas remains committed to improving and continues to work with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“He comes to work every day and works his tail off, and him and Trevor [Lawrence] are continuing to work together on it, and the time’s going to continue to come,” Coen said.

Thomas was selected 23rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and immediately made an impact. During his rookie season, he caught 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection.

His production has declined significantly since that first campaign. Across the 22 games following his rookie season, Thomas recorded 58 catches for 824 yards. He also had 10 drops compared with four touchdown receptions during that period.

His target share has fallen as well. After receiving 25.3% of Jacksonville’s targets in 2024, a figure that ranked 11th in the NFL, his share dropped to 16.6% last season and currently stands at 9.5%.

However, Thomas still offers a physical advantage that few other Jacksonville receivers can match. His elite speed remains a major weapon, having recorded a 4.33-second time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Gladstone believes the receiver can still make a significant contribution as the season progresses.

“We have a ton of value when it comes to BTJ,” Gladstone said. “His role and what I imagine his contribution will be down the stretch here is going to be notable. He’s such a good person to work with, such a good teammate, and so I expect a lot of good that comes in what lies in front.”

Jacksonville’s decision to keep Thomas indicates that the organisation has not lost confidence in his long-term potential. Rather than moving him during a difficult stretch, the Jaguars appear prepared to give him more opportunities to rediscover the form that made him one of the league’s promising young receivers.

3. Jaguars Expect Jordan Davis to Improve the Pass Rush

Jordan Davis was primarily acquired to strengthen Jacksonville’s interior defensive line and improve its ability to stop opposing running games. However, the Jaguars believe the 6-foot-6, 336-pound defensive tackle can also make a difference as a pass rusher.

Davis has established himself as a strong run defender since entering the NFL in 2022 as the 13th overall draft pick. His 38% run stop win rate ranks fifth among qualified interior defensive linemen over that period, making him an important addition to Jacksonville’s defensive front.

The Jaguars have been effective at generating quarterback pressure but have struggled to turn those opportunities into sacks. They rank seventh in quarterback pressure rate but have recorded only 16 sacks, with just four teams producing fewer.

Edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have combined for five sacks. Outside defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who has two, Jacksonville has received limited pressure from the middle of the defensive line.

Coen believes Davis can help address that weakness by creating pressure directly through the interior. His presence could make it harder for opposing quarterbacks to step forward in the pocket and avoid pressure from Jacksonville’s edge rushers.

Davis recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks on 327 pass-rush snaps last season. He has added 1.5 sacks on 128 pass-rush snaps this season, while his 6.3% pressure percentage in 2026 is the highest of his career.

Jacksonville plans to give him more opportunities as a pass rusher than he received with Philadelphia. The coaching staff expects his interior pressure to create better opportunities for Hines-Allen and Walker to reach opposing quarterbacks.

Davis also understands the role Jacksonville expects him to play. He explained that creating pressure up the middle could help his teammates on the edges find more space to attack.

“I heard a lot of mentions around the team about pocket push and eliminating the quarterback step up,” Davis said. “And obviously I’m probably going to get a lot of four hands on me [double teams]. So if I could do my part in eliminating the quarterback step up and they can burn an edge and make something shake and if it flows to me, then it’s on me to scrape over the top and hopefully get this trash sacks that we all love.”

The Jaguars are expecting Davis to contribute in more ways than simply stopping the run. His ability to occupy blockers, generate interior pressure and create opportunities for Jacksonville’s edge defenders could become an important part of the team’s defensive improvement.

What Jacksonville’s Trade Deadline Moves Mean for the Jaguars

Jacksonville’s three trades represent a clear investment in improving the team’s defence during the current season. By acquiring Davis, Bates and Godchaux, the Jaguars have addressed important needs created by injuries and added experienced players with significant NFL backgrounds.

The decision to keep Brian Thomas Jr. also shows that the organisation remains committed to developing its existing offensive talent rather than making changes simply because other teams are interested.

Gladstone may reject the “F them picks” label, but the Jaguars have demonstrated that they are willing to use future draft capital to improve their chances now. The success of that strategy will depend on how quickly the new arrivals adapt and whether they can deliver the defensive improvement Jacksonville expects.

With the trade deadline behind them, attention now turns to the field. Davis, Bates and Godchaux will be expected to strengthen the defence, while Thomas will have an opportunity to rebuild his connection with Lawrence and become a bigger part of the offence.