Jaguairs Trade Six Draft Picks for Two Defensive Veterans
Jacksonville spent a first-round pick and five other selections to acquire Jordan Davis and Jessie Bates III, aiming for a Super Bowl run.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
The Jacksonville Jaguars surrendered six future draft selections on Monday to acquire two veteran defensive players, a move that signals a high-stakes push for the NFL playoffs. The team gave up a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 second-rounder, a 2027 second-rounder, a 2028 fifth-rounder, and a 2028 sixth-rounder that could move up to 2027. In return, Jacksonville obtained defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles and safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons.
General manager James Gladstone described Davis as a premier player whose impact is visible on every down. The Jaguars are 6-2 and have won five of their last six games. They believe they are positioned to secure the top seed in the AFC. A No. 1 seed would give the franchise its best chance at reaching its first Super Bowl.
Davis enters the trade with a modest statistical profile this season. He has recorded one and a half sacks and one interception in nine games. His previous season was his career best, where he posted four and a half sacks and 72 tackles. He is expected to replace nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, whom Jacksonville placed on injured reserve last week due to a leg injury.
The Eagles released a statement thanking Davis for his contributions to the team culture and on-field success since they drafted him five years ago. The organization noted that his growth as a leader reflects his hard work. Philadelphia is currently on a seven-game losing streak, its longest since 2012. The team is navigating a rebuilding phase after giving defensive end Jalen Carter $106 million in guaranteed money. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million extension in March that included $65 million guaranteed.
Jacksonville also acquired Bates, a safety whose four-year contract expires after this season. The Falcons lost four of their last five games under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski. This puts Atlanta on a path to a ninth consecutive losing season. Stefanski called the decision to trade Bates difficult as the team weighed short-term and long-term implications.
Bates recorded a career-high 14 tackles in Sunday's 34-17 loss to Cincinnati in Madrid. For the season, he has 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, and one interception. He also returned a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown. Over nine seasons, including five with Cincinnati, Bates has intercepted 28 passes and forced 14 fumbles.
The Jaguars view Bates as an upgrade for their secondary. They lost starter Eric Murray to a season-ending elbow injury earlier in the year. The team will test its new defensive front and secondary on Sunday at Tennessee. The Titans are 1-7, making this one of the easiest remaining matchups on Jacksonville's schedule.
The trade deadline moves mark a shift in strategy for both selling teams. Philadelphia, despite a recent Super Bowl title, is parting with a key defensive piece while on a skid. Atlanta is shedding a high-profile free agent to rebuild its roster. Jacksonville is betting that these two additions provide the immediate quality needed to close out the regular season with top-seed momentum.
