Jaguars trade draft capital for defensive upgrades as Vikings eye quarterback options
Jacksonville traded multiple future picks for defensive linemen and a safety to bolster a roster that has won nine of its last fifteen games by 14 points or more, while Minnesota considers a quarterback change after recent setbacks.
Jacksonville entered the trade deadline by surrendering its 2027 first- and second-round selections, 2028 second-, fifth- and sixth-round picks and a 2029 second-round pick in exchange for defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Davon Godchaux and safety Jessie Bates. The moves address injuries to interior defensive line starter DaVon Hamilton and the loss of safety Eric Murray, and reflect the aggressive approach of general manager Liam Coen and senior personnel James Gladstone, who draw on experience from their time with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Jaguars have been buoyed by recent dominant victories, including a 42–7 win over the Colts and a similar thrashing of the Ravens, bringing their record in the last 18 regular-season games to 15–3. Nine of those 15 wins were by at least 14 points, underscoring the team’s confidence in its championship prospects.
Bates, acquired from Atlanta, brings veteran leadership and defensive intelligence, while Davis fits the Jaguars’ scheme that emphasizes larger interior linemen to support a run-stopping strategy. The price of the acquisitions is steep: Jacksonville will not have a draft pick until the end of the third round in April and will be without a second-rounder in 2029, though it expects to receive compensatory selections.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles are resetting their roster after a period of heavy spending, aiming to clear dead money and accumulate draft capital. The team now holds ten picks in the first two rounds over the next three years, a result of trades involving Jordan Davis, AJ Brown and others.
In Minnesota, the Vikings are reassessing their quarterback situation after a recent loss that featured Carson Wentz. Kirk Cousins, currently under contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, is mentioned as a potential fit, though the Raiders have not indicated a willingness to trade him. The Vikings also have two third-round picks available as part of their broader roster considerations.
Other league activity includes the Indianapolis Colts monitoring slot receiver Josh Downs, the New York Jets receiving a trade request from edge rusher Will McDonald IV, and the Arizona Cardinals fielding interest in safety Budda Baker. Tennessee’s running back Tony Pollard remains a valued asset for the Titans, likely requiring a fourth-round pick or higher to move.