The NFL trade deadline will quickly arrive on Oct. 29 and teams are scrambling to improve their rosters. The Jacksonville Jaguars have already been active in the trade market, trading away All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 first-round pick and a 2021 fourth-round pick.
Some valuable players that could potentially find their way to a new home and the Jaguars could do well by being a part of the action.
Here are three players who the Jaguars should look into bringing in before the trade deadline:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard
The Jaguars have a need at tight end with James O’Shaughnessy out for the season due to an ACL tear, Geoff Swaim going on injured reserve and rookie Josh Oliver still getting himself acclimated to the NFL.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a tight end in O.J. Howard who has been criminally underutilized. Howard only sits at 13 receptions and 176 yards on the season with zero touchdowns, a far cry from the 11 touchdowns, 997 receiving yards and 60 receptions in his first two seasons.
Howard is an incredible talent that the Bucs have not been committed to using. He excels at exploiting mismatches against linebackers with his elite downhill speed which could test teams vertically if paired with the right quarterback. The Jaguars could use his kind of talent (regardless as to who is starting between Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles) to give themselves another dangerous weapon in the passing game at a much-needed position.
Denver Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr.
Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. has been one of the NFL’s most elite corners since being drafted in 2011 but has also been a subject of trade rumors lately.
With the stunning trade of Ramsey to the Rams, the Jaguars will be wise to pair a corner like Harris with current starting cornerback A.J. Bouye. With the addition, the Jags would have another tandem that could get it done on the outside.
Harris Jr. would come with a plethora of suitors as he is still one of the best pure cover cornerbacks in the NFL. He currently has a Pro Football Focus grade of 74.7, which is an above-average rank for his position.
Harris would mark an upgrade for the Jags who’ve used Tre Herndon to replace Ramsey. Of course, he’d give the Jags more of a shutdown ability on one side of the field, which is something they’ve lacked since their saga with Ramsey as the young corner sat out from Week 4 to Week 6. Mixing Harris’ ability with that of the front four might be just what the doctor ordered, as the team needs to cause more turnovers heading forward if they are to make a playoff push.
Washington Redskins OG
This may be more of a long shot, but anything can happen in the NFL.
The Jaguars have a dire need on the offensive line, especially at guard. Will Richarson Jr. and A.J. Cann currently have grades of 41.6 and 52.0, per PFF, respectively, while Andrew Norwell has not lived up to expectations since signing a five-year, $66.5 million contract.
Washington Redskins guard Brandon Scherff would represent an immediate upgrade for the interior of the line. Scherff has only allowed one sack in 342 snaps and has been a staple of the Redskins’ offensive line since tackle Trent Williams held out due to differences with the teams’ medical staff and contract issues.
Scherff is also at the end of his rookie contract, which is paying him over $12.5 million this season and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2020. According to reports, Scherff and the Redskins do not appear to be close on contract negotiations. Washington may want to move a player that they don’t feel confident in re-signing if they don’t plan on using the franchise tag on him.
This would be the prime opportunity for Jacksonville to take advantage and make a move.
Who are some other players that the Jaguars should take a look at before the deadline? Follow us on the Jags Wire on Facebook and Twitter and let us know!
