JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter
As a wise man, I think it was Voltaire or maybe Bob Dylan, once said: "Eff them picks."
Those indeed were wise, wise men – but while it was Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead who rather famously (or infamously) once said "F*** them picks," Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone doesn't believe the phrase necessarily applies to this week. Yes, the Jaguars acquired three high-profile defensive players – defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Davon Godchaux and safety Jessie Bates – in trades this week that involved the team's 2027 first- and second-round draft selections. And the high-profile nature of the moves inevitably has prompted the "consensusers" – the talking heads and internet gurus – to ring in with a chorus of Twittered and televised criticism. But the reality is that Gladstone and the Jaguars see a lot of conventional league things unconventionally. This was evidenced in one of this decision-making regime's first major moves – moving up to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. It was evidenced again this past offseason when the Jaguars allowed running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Devin Lloyd to leave as unrestricted free agents before selecting tight end Nate Boerkircher in Round 2 of a draft that was largely criticized throughout by many analysts because it didn't line up with their pre-draft analysis. Now, the Jaguars are being criticized for trading draft selections and "spending too much" on this week's trades. But Gladstone and the Jaguars see draft selections as capital that can be spent not only on draft weekend, but also to acquire players at various times of the NFL calendar – particularly just before the trade deadline. Gladstone and the Jaguars also value having numerous draft selections and don't necessarily feel the need to always have a slew of early draft selections. Which is why Gladstone doesn't necessarily see his approach this week as "F*** them picks." All this unconventional thinking likely will continue to lead to criticism from people playing dress up on television. Perhaps they are spending so much on clothes they don't realize the Jaguars are 19-6 since the franchise began to think unconventionally. Either way, the Jaguars don't seem to worry much about the criticism. Then again, why would they?
Jason from Suffolk, VA
What do we have in the trade for Jordan Davis? Supposedly he is only a run-stuffing defensive tackle who plays on first and second down and only plays about 50 percent of the time. His production this year after getting paid seems to have dropped off from last year. Is this true, or is it merely a product of Philly having three good defensive tackles, so a rotation was needed? What I was really hoping for in trading for a defensive tackle was that we could find someone who can push up the middle to help generate more pressure inside and allow defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to get more opportunities for sacks. How do you see Jordan Davis' role in our defense?
The Jaguars perhaps see Davis a bit differently than the Eagles. I don't know that his role will be as a pure penetrating three-technique, disruptive, third-down pass rusher. But there is conviction within the Jaguars that Davis can have impact as a three-down player – and therefore help the pass rush – in addition to being an elite run defender. Remember: While fans and observers obsess over the pass rush – and while the pass rush indeed is important – the Jaguars' first priority defensively is being elite against the run. That, from their view, is the foundation for all else defensively and leads to them being an elite turnover-creating defense. That's it. That's their formula. Would they like to have a great pass rush? Of course. Do they want a great pass rush at the expense of not stopping the run? No.
Daniel from Urbandale
True or false. It sorta feels inevitable that Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is just going to be on defense?
False. Quite false, actually.
Richard from Jacksonville
In my estimation, 13-4 won't get them the No. 1 seed. I guess the only question that matters now is can they run the table?
I will be surprised if the Jaguars "run the table" the rest of the regular season because that would mean winning 11 consecutive games and it's hard to win 11 consecutive games in the NFL. I will not be surprised if 13-4 secures the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I also will not be surprised if this team can win on the road in the postseason.
Al from Fruit Cove, FL
Guess we don't have to block out the first night of the draft for a watch party this year, do we?
Barring something insanely unforeseen …
Mike from The mighty football dynasty of Hawthorne
Zone, been a fanatic since day one. Other than the first few Tom Coughlin years in the 1990s and then 2017, I can't recall a better overall roster than today. Thoughts?
This Jaguars roster from this view is the best since the late 1990s. The biggest factor is the Jaguars have far and away the best quarterback in franchise history in Trevor Lawrence and he's playing at a high level. That makes decent rosters look good and good ones look great.
Bill from Springfield, VA
Defense wins championships! I am very happy with our most recent acquisitions! The "voices on the tube" are not in agreement, who cares??!! Accolades to management!!!!!!
One fer management, said Not-Quite-A-Rebel Bill.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
Johnny O! During the Head Coach Liam Coen era, the focus has been on the next game as the biggest in franchise history. Is all this Super Bowl talk wise? Go Jags!
People outside the team can talk about what they choose. The focus from players, coaches and the front office is on the next game – which to hear them tell it, is the biggest game in franchise history.
Stephen from Belfast, United Kingdom
John, with these moves is it Super Bowl or bust?
No.
Mike from Naugatuck, CT
KOAF, did the trade machine break your inbox? The Jaguars were already a contender but now clearly all-in. How do all the trades fit under the 2026 cap and what does guaranteed money from Jordan Davis' contract extension given by the Eagles last off-season look like for the Jaguars in future years? I won't care much if they win a Super Bowl in February but realize cap flexibility matters for long-term stability.
The trades fit snugly under the 2026 salary cap, and Davis' contract is actually relatively "cap friendly. The Jaguars can't keep all players moving forward because that's not how the cap works, but they expect to be able to keep most, if not all, "core" players. Remember: Some of this is flexible and a lot changes fast in the NFL. Core players today can be expendable tomorrow and vice versa.
Teddy from Liberty, SC
They said Travis Hunter wasn't worth trading up for. They gave an 'F' for drafting Boerkircher. They ranked our running backs 31st before the season. They're saying we overpaid for Jordan Davis. I'm not too concerned with what they think.
Fair.
Jadon from Raleighwood
It is good to see the media hating on us again via the Jordan trade. ESPN said it was a "disaster." I feel that good things happen when the national media finds ways to complain about us.
People playing dress up and yelling at one another on television have jobs to do. I am happy for them that they have these jobs because I am happy that people can earn a living on television. As far as these fancily-dressed, volume-centric folks being the end all when it comes to football … that's quite a different topic.
Steven from Orlando, FL
Something I don't see many people talking about is that Bates and Davis were captains on their previous teams. Gladstone sure does have a type.
Yes, they were. Indeed he does.
Carlos from Mexico City
Obviously excited about the signings and the commitment of the team to pursuing a championship, but I can't help but be worried about Washington. How do all these movements affect the team's ability to extend our best wide receiver? Also, did Jordan Davis really return a field goal for a touchdown like 60 yards? That's truly astonishing...
Monday's moves won't prevent the Jaguars from re-signing wide receiver Parker Washington. If anything, they give the Jaguars more incentive to sign Washington to a long-term extension because it's easier to manage the salary cap when you sign a player to a long-term contract than when you have a player on the franchise tag. Yes, Davis once returned a blocked field goal 61 yards for a touchdown in 2025 against the Los Angeles Rams. He's a different guy athletically.
Don from Marshall
That James Gladstone is clutch! Amazing really! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to Gladstone being clutch and generally amazing, Don remains "all in."
