The Jacksonville Jaguars were a team many people were keeping an eye on coming into the 2023 season. With their strong finish in the 2022 campaign, there was excitement about the team taking that next step and becoming legitimate contenders in the AFC.
While they could still make the playoffs, the Jaguars feel to be a tier or two below the other contenders in the conference. Inconsistency and some injuries have plagued them, especially in recent weeks as the team was on a four-game losing streak before defeating the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
While the jump didn’t occur in 2023, the pieces are in place for it to happen sooner than later. Having a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence certainly helps, as he looks capable of leading a top-flight offense with the right pieces around him.
NFL News & Rumors: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jagaurs Updates
Adding to the pieces already in place should be the No. 1 goal for the team this offseason. That is exactly what Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has suggested they do by making a splash trade with the San Francisco 49ers. In a piece titled, “2024 NFL Offseason Trades That Make Too Much Sense to Actually Happen”, Kay suggests the Jaguars make a move to acquire emerging star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk.
“If Aiyuk becomes available, the Jaguars should be extremely interested. The team already has a major decision to make with Calvin Ridley, the team’s No. 1 wideout who is set to hit free agency after the season. If the Jaguars opt to extend Ridley, the move would cost them a second-round pick as part of his trade conditions.
Jacksonville could instead allocate that type of capital toward the acquisition of Aiyuk, who will likely cost a first-round pick plus additional draft selections. The Jags could even consider going all-in on the receiver position, locking both Ridley and Aiyuk up on long-term deals.
While it won’t be cheap, acquiring Aiyuk would provide Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense with the elite No. 1 pass-catcher needed to find sustained success in the years to come,” wrote Kay.
NFL News & Rumors: Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jagaurs Updates
Pairing Aiyuk with Ridley would be costly. As Kay mentioned, if Ridley signs a new contract with the Jaguars, they will owe the Atlanta Falcons a second-round pick. However, it won’t be cheap to pull off.
Kay suggested the Jaguars send a 2024 first-round pick and 2025 third-round pick to the 49ers for Aiyuk. When combined with the Ridley cost, trading away first, second and third-round picks on top of monster extensions for players at the same position would be costly. But, Jacksonville would have the makings of arguably the best passing offense in the NFL.
With tight end Evan Engram locked into a three-year deal this offseason and running back Travis Etienne still having three years remaining on his rookie deal, the Jaguars’ skill positions would be set for the duration of Lawrence’s rookie deal. That is certainly an intriguing option for the franchise to maximize the flexibility of having a quarterback on a rookie deal.
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