Jaguars Trade Deadline Watch: Receiver Questions, Defensive Back Needs
Less than 24 hours after its 33-10 victory on Thursday Night Football, Jacksonville (6-2) already had its sights set on the new task Friday afternoon: navigating the NFL trade deadline. Jaguars coach Liam Coen has four days to mull over the current state of the roster and determine who to deal before the buzzer.
While not explicitly stated, Brian Thomas Jr.’s name may be at the top of the list. The wide receiver had a 1,282-yard, 10-touchdown rookie season in 2024, but saw a dip in production last year. Following the sophomore slump, Thomas has yet to retake rookie-season form once more.
Thomas, a former first-round draft selection, has just 21 receptions for 117 yards through the Jags’ eight games. He was not targeted Thursday and logged 19 of 59 snaps.
While the deadline isn’t until Tuesday at 4 p.m., teams have already begun dealing. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. headlined the first trades of the year, and the Bears acquired defensive end Jeffery Simmons on Oct. 29.
The Jaguars could be in the market to send Thomas elsewhere, while also bringing in top talent. While Coen said Thomas was merely experiencing “ups and downs” following his lack of receptions, the wideout has just one reception in the last four games. Jacksonville will face just three clubs with a current winning record in its next nine contests.
“It’s so much about the person, the competitor, the football character,” Coen said. “It’s very important, especially when you’ve got a good thing going, that you’re intentional with the background and making sure that the players and the headspace to come in and fit what we’re doing.”
Jacksonville has had luck in recent trade deadline cycles, including last season by acquiring Jakobi Meyers. The wide receiver quickly made a statement in Jacksonville, adding 483 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. Now, Meyers is No. 2 on the Jags’ roster with 374 receiving yards.
If the Jaguars were to ship Thomas elsewhere, they could bolster their 2027 draft or strengthen its already-solidified roster.
“You start with, ‘Does this player make us better or not?’ And then, ‘Is it going to fit what we’re doing, how we operate, the locker room?’ All that stuff is very important and you can’t just reach and grab,” Coen said.
Outside of the wide receiver position, Jacksonville could also be a prime spot for a defensive back. The Jaguars secondary has been depleted by injuries throughout the season, and should look to add depth. Safety Eric Murray was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, while Antonio Johnson and Jarrian Jones have both been banged up in recent weeks. Arizona’s veteran safety Budda Baker and Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson would be viable options for Jacksonville.
“There’s so much that goes into time of the year, also being cognizant of the group that you have in the locker room and making sure that the guys all know in the building we’re trying to do everything we can as an organization to make the best decisions for the group and for our team, because those guys are so important to what we’re doing,” Coen said. “It’s definitely a balancing act. Everything that comes across your desk, you’ve got to make sure that you’re looking at it through that lens. At least we are.”
Category: Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL
