The Tennessee Titans are going to be in the market for a pass-rusher this offseason and one of the biggest names likely to be available will be Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue.
In four years with the Jags, the former third-round pick totaled 37.5 sacks in 63 games (62 starts), including a career-high 12 in 2017.
On Monday, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Ngakoue was going to get the franchise tag.
Jacksonville Jaguars will use their franchise tag on pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue, per league sources. The tag will allow them to try to trade him if that’s what they decide or are forced to do.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2020
Ngakoue took to Twitter to announce that he has told the Jaguars he has no intention of signing a long-term deal with the team, which puts Jacksonville in a bit of a pickle with its star pass-rusher.
The Jaguars are aware I no longer have interest in signing a long term contract in Jacksonville. Duval, I love you and gave you guys everything I got. I’m thankful for the journey and look forward to continuing my career elsewhere. -91
— Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) March 2, 2020
As Schefter points out, the Jags have the option of trading Ngakoue while under the franchise tag, and that seems like the most likely scenario given the team’s limited cap space and Ngakoue’s desire to play elsewhere.
While the Titans would love to have a pass-rusher like Ngakoue in Nashville, the chances of them being able to work out a trade with a division rival is slim and none.
It’s highly unlikely the Jags will want to help the Titans improve in the first place, and the only chance for a deal to happen would be if Tennessee makes Jacksonville an offer it can’t refuse.
If we’re going to draw up a potential package it would take to land Ngakoue in a trade, we can look to the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks trade from 2019 involving Jadeveon Clowney.
In that deal, the Texans sent Clowney to the Seahawks for Barkevious Mingo, Jacob Martin and a third-round pick.
If it takes a similar haul to land Ngakoue, the Titans should definitely do it. However, chances are the Jags will want the Titans to sweeten the pot even more so than another team would have to.
Ngakoue will have plenty of interest from other teams in need at the position, which will only drive up the price more. So, not only will the Titans have to give up a King’s ransom, they’ll also have to sign Ngakoue to a lucrative long-term deal once he’s acquired.
While adding a talent like Ngakoue sounds nice, there are just too many obstacles for the Titans to land him.