Which landing spots make sense for a potential Jaguars first round trade?

The options for Trent Baalke and the Jaguars’ front office come NFL Draft weekend.

We are now just ten days away from the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are finalizing their big board as we speak.

Hundreds and hundreds of prospects will be broken down, ranked, listed by position, and perhaps removed from the board entirely as Trent Baalke and his team gear up for the biggest weekend of their year. But who could the Jags be focusing on, and what would it take to get there?

We look at some potential trade targets on Day 1, and willing dance partners who the team could strike a deal with:

TRADE UP: Atlanta Falcons, #8

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Atlanta Falcons are prime trade back candidates in this draft. After an aggressive free agency that saw them bring in Kirk Cousins and a number of weapons for him to work with, common consensus suggests they will focus on defense in Round 1.

If four quarterbacks go early and the Tennessee Titans take an offensive tackle, then there’s the potential for one of the elite three wide receivers to still be on the board when the Falcons are on the clock – and draft stock suggests it could be Washington’s Rome Odunze.

If this scenario transpires, then Atlanta should have one hell of a market interested in their pick. With Chicago sitting at 9 and a candidate to take Odunze, that no. 8 pick would be the perfect spot to trade up to and gazump the Bears.

It’s no secret that the Jags will be boosting their receiving corps on draft weekend, but would they consider packaging some picks to move up nine spots? Looking at the trade value chart, it might cost them their second-rounder (no. 48) and one of their two fourth-rounders (no. 114 or 116) to make it happen – although with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts also rumored to be looking at the position, it might get even pricier.

While Odunze would be an incredible get for this front office, the draft capital required might be a little rich for Baalke and the number of roster holes he wants to fill.

TRADE UP: Denver Broncos, #12

Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

The Denver Broncos are a hot mess right now. A talent-deficient roster handicapped by paying a quarterback $53m to go away and a head coach that cost them valuable draft capital equals a franchise in distress.

While I can see Sean Payton assuming control of draft day proceedings and perhaps attempting to move up for a sliding Jayden Daniels, the bigger likelihood is this team looks to trade back, get more picks, and plug more holes.

Step forward Jacksonville, who have an obvious need at cornerback yet sit in a not-so-sweet spot between tiers at the position at 17th overall. If they want one of the two premier corners in this class, they likely need to get ahead of the Colts and the Las Vegas Raiders (and indeed the Broncos should they stick) who all have a similar need at the position.

The price to win the rights for Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell or Alabama’s Terrion Arnold would probably be a second-round selection, with Denver sending a Day 3 pick back in return. Again, considering the various needs the Jags must address, they would have to be completely sold on the prospect to make the move.

TRADE DOWN: Arizona Cardinals/Los Angeles Chargers, #23

“But wait,” I hear you cry – “The Minnesota Vikings have pick number 23?!” That’s correct. But who here believes that the Vikings aren’t going to parcel that up with their other first-rounder and move into the top five for a quarterback?

The likely trade partners for Minnesota are of course the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers – and there’s a case to be made for both that they might want to move up from that spot later on the first night.

Firstly, the Cardinals – they’re a team looking for receiving help, and in moving back they’ve probably lucked out in the Harrison Jr./Nabers/Odunze sweepstakes earlier on. They might be interested in trading up for Brian Thomas Jr., the LSU receiver who has long been mocked to the Jaguars. But for the price of a third-round pick, Baalke might be tempted to move back six spots.

As for the Chargers, they too may be inclined to bounce up for a receiver, or one of the remaining elite tackles on the board – depending on what THEY chose to do at 11. Confused? Good. Welcome to draft weekend.

The point is, the Jaguars may want to move back, add more picks, and still be right in the mix for the second tier of corners mooted to come off the board in this range. Think Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, Kool-Aid McKinstry. There’s some serious talent in the secondary likely to fall later on Thursday night.

TRADE DOWN: Buffalo Bills, #28

If the Jaguars’ front office is not happy with the talent they are in line to receive at 17, I do see a scenario where they could be aggressive in trading back. After all, this is a team looking for not just help, but potential starters at receiver and corner, not to mention more depth on both lines. Throw in Baalke’s addiction for taking Day 2 running backs, three linebackers a year, and a tight end with versatility to play anywhere except where he’s supposed to, and that’s a lot of boxes to check.

How much would the Buffalo Bills be willing to part with to make a big jump up the board? Considering they traded away Stefon Diggs, their dire need for another receiver increases the chances of a draft day trade. Again, potentially targeting Brian Thomas Jr., they might have to package together a tasty collection of picks to convince Baalke to pull the trigger, one that eschews the usual trade chart parameters. Should the bait be enough, a world does exist where the Jaguars make a big move down.

In this scenario, the team might be out of range for a first-round corner, and maybe even too early still for the next wave of receivers. Could they entertain ANOTHER trade back, perhaps with the Raiders coming up for Michael Penix Jr.? Maybe, but even at my most speculative, that’s one permutation too many for me.