Report: Jags’ “unwillingness” to trade Yannick Ngakoue a big factor in standoff

A new series of tweets from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter is shedding new light on what is preventing the Jacksonville Jaguars from parting ways with disgruntled defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue. In a nutshell, it sounds like the asking price is …

A new series of tweets from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter is shedding new light on what is preventing the Jacksonville Jaguars from parting ways with disgruntled defensive end, Yannick Ngakoue. In a nutshell, it sounds like the asking price is high.

While it appears Ngakoue is more than willing to be flexible with possible suitors, the fact of the matter is the Jaguars have absolutely no interest in dealing him unless a deal is purely beneficial to the team. As mentioned by us here at the Jaguars Wire Tuesday, not much has changed since Ngakoue initially stated on Twitter that his time in Jacksonville was over back in March. During their first post-draft press conference, coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell spoke as if they expected their star defensive end to be a Jaguar, and that expectation does not appear to have changed.

The deadline to reach a new long-term contract for tagged players like Ngakoue is today at 4 pm EST. Without a new agreement, Ngakoue would play on a one-year deal worth $17.8 million in 2020. After only earning approximately $3.4 million on his rookie deal, maybe he’ll have a change of heart, but it feels questionable at this point. However, for now, both sides appear to be locked into their stances waiting to see who will flinch first.

Would trading for David Njoku make sense for Jags?

About a week ago, ESPN’s Field Yates proposed a trade involving defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns. In a nutshell, the two teams exchanged both players while the Browns added in a second-round selection, and …

About a week ago, ESPN’s Field Yates proposed a trade involving defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns. In a nutshell, the two teams exchanged both players while the Browns added in a second-round selection, and surprisingly, it got a lot of good feedback from Jags fans.

Now, here we are not too far removed from the article and it appears Yates was on to something. Njoku recently demanded a trade two days ago, leaving fans to speculate what teams are fits for the young tight end.

For the sake of this article, we’ll leave Ngakoue out of the picture and just look at it from a standpoint of the Jags acquiring Njoku by providing draft compensation and not players. However, to answer the question of whether the Jags should trade for him we have to look at the Jags’ current tight end group.

The organization came into the offseason with a need for a tight end after three of their tight ends went on injured reserve last season. Those players were Geoff Swaim (concussion/ ankle), Josh Oliver (back), and James O’Shaughnessy (ACL), leaving the Jags’ offense at a huge disadvantage when it came to pass-catchers. Now, two of those three will be back in O’Shaughnessy and Oliver (while Swaim was cut) in addition to another notable in veteran tight end Tyler Eifert, who is the most familiar with the offensive system.

When looking at those three names there should be concerns on the Jags part. O’Shaugnessy, a favorite target of Gardner Minshew II, will be coming off an ACL tear, which means 2020 may not be a super productive year for him. Fans aren’t exactly high on the health of Eifert either, as he’s missed over 50 regular season games in his career. As for Oliver, he only registered three catches last season and will be learning a new scheme. That ultimately makes him feel like a rookie who is still at Square 1.

Still, the team is seemingly high on what they have and I believe Oliver especially could prevent them from wanting Njoku. They were high enough on him to take him with a third-round selection in 2019, and after how last season went, they are going to want to see what they have in him. In a nutshell, it feels as though Oliver is the team’s version of Njoku — at least they’re hoping.

For me, Njoku is a talented player when healthy and could be a TE1 in time and the Jags should at least be open to it. However, when looking at it from their standpoint with Oliver and them showing confidence in Eifert by not drafting a tight end, it looks like their minds are set at the position.

Additionally, if the Jags looked into a trade for Njoku the asking price would have to be extremely friendly. If a fifth-round selection or less is all they have to give up, that’s worth the risk even though it’s unlikely that they would.

Now, we’d like to know what you all at home think about a Njoku trade. Does it make sense for the Jags? Let us know in the poll below.

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NFL.com’s Gil Brandt lists Jags as the third-best trade fit for Jamal Adams

While many are looking at playoff contenders as fits for Jamal Adams, NFL.com’s Gil Brandt thinks the Jags are a top fit for him.

One of the biggest topics of discussion in the football community has been Jamal Adams demanding a trade from the New York Jets due to a contract dispute. Since taking to social media with his thoughts, many have pointed out teams he could end up with if traded, most of which were labeled as desired destinations by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

However, as we’ve seen in the past, trades more times than not aren’t dictated by the player — and if traded — Adams could end up with a team that wasn’t named by Schefter or one many aren’t suspecting.

One team that NFL.com’s Gil Brandt at least feels are a fit is the Jacksonville Jaguars. On his list of fits, they came in at the No. 3 spot with only the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, above them

As I wrote above, the Jets should expect at least a first-round pick in return for Adams, which might make this potential deal too rich for a Jaguars team that, on paper, looks ticketed for a top-10 draft choice in 2021. And that’s setting aside the fact that Jacksonville is the one team here that does not appear on Adams’ reported wish list. But you could argue that Adams would be worth the investment for a group looking to grow, instantly lifting a secondary that will otherwise be relying on rookie C.J. Henderson to shoulder a significant amount of the load. The Jaguars haven’t fielded a true impact safety since Rashean Mathis’ heyday.

While it admittedly feels like a long-shot, here at Jags Wire we’ve also deemed the Jags as a good fit. They have nine total draft picks waiting for them in 2021 and two of them are first-round selections thanks to Jalen Ramsey.

However, unlike Brandt, we’ve also pointed out a way the Jags could potentially land Adams without giving up a first-round pick, and that’s by trading them Yannick Ngakoue. As many have seen, the young defensive end has been in a contract dispute of his own with the Jags and has made it clear he no longer wants to play for them.

While the team could hold on to hope that he’ll have a change of heart, it’s a gamble that could hurt them in the end when they reflect on it if he doesn’t. Additionally, the Jags would come out cheaper in 2020 compensating Adams as the highest-paid safety in the league than paying out Ngakoue a salary of $18 million under the franchise tender.

Only Adam’s (and maybe his agent) knows if Jacksonville is a spot he’d be fine with playing at. However, for a new deal to be the league’s highest-paid safety in a state without income taxes, he just might be open to it.

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

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As expected, Jags don’t make list of preferred destinations for Jamal Adams

Adam Schefter released a list of Jamal Adams’ preferred destinations if traded and it appears he wants to be with a playoff contender.

With Jamal Adams demanding a trade from the New York Jets, a list of preferred destinations has surfaced. Unfortunately, the Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t among the teams he’d like to play for.

Per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, there are eight teams the young safety would prefer to play for. Unsurprisingly, all of them were playoff contenders.

Both the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans making the list isn’t surprising because Adams is from Lewisville, Texas. Of course, anyone would love to play for the world champion Kansas City Chiefs, while the Baltimore Ravens are another elite organization. The Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks are trending in the right direction, too.

Unfortunately for Adams, players oftentimes don’t dictate trades, which is why other teams have a chance if he’s traded. That might even include the Jags, although their odds could be among the lowest.

As we pointed out in our poll for the fans, the Jags have the draft compensation to make a trade happen for Adams with six picks in the top-4 rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. They also have a player to potentially trade to the New York Jets in defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who seems to have his mind set on leaving Jacksonville due to being disgruntled. Maybe an exchange for Adams with a pick could be the answer, but of course, the Jags would need to have a new contract ready for him if they are to entice him.

Again, the Jags’ chances to land Adams are very slim, but them not being a preferred destination probably shouldn’t hurt what chances they do have of a trade. That is, if the Jets move him at all.

Ian Rapoport says a trade is ‘unlikely’ to happen for Yannick Ngakoue this weekend

With the 2020 NFL Draft in just a matter of hours, Ian Rapoport suggets that time could be running out on a potential Yannick Ngakoue trade.

More drama surrounding the Yannick Ngakoue situation has surfaced after NFL insider Ian Rapoport has come out and cast doubt over the Jacksonville Jaguars moving on from him. According to Rapoport, a trade for the 25-year-old pass-rusher is unlikely to happen this weekend as we head into the 2020 NFL Draft. 

 

Ngakoue has made it abundantly clear that he has no desire to stay in Jacksonville, coming to blows with co-owner Tony Khan on Twitter earlier this week. Khan was quick to respond, saying that the price hasn’t been right for the Jaguars to move on from their Pro-Bowl defensive end. That seems to be exactly what was enforced by Rapoport’s tweet Thursday morning.

The Jaguars aren’t new to trading their star players as former first-team All Pro Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams last season. General manager Dave Caldwell was robust in his negotiations and was able to orchestrate a phenomenal trade for his team.

With this experience so fresh in the memory, the Jaguars aren’t simply going to give Yannick Ngakoue away for less than he’s worth. Whilst they would like to increase the amount of draft capital they own this weekend, this front office won’t sell themselves short for the sake of making a deal.

4 teams who could be suitors for a Leonard Fournette trade

The Jags are open to trading Leonard Fournette per ESPN and there are a few teams who could use him. Two of them are in the same state.

With the 2020 NFL Draft coming up Thursday trade rumors are going to be at their strongest point of the offseason. One name that popped up over the weekend on the Jacksonville Jaguars end is running back Leonard Fournette, who the Jags are open to moving, per ESPN insider Adam Schefter.

Of course, with that news surfacing, many have been left to wonder what teams are suitors, so we did our homework and came up with a couple of teams in the AFC and a couple in the NFC:

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Bucs

With Tom Brady behind center, it’s hard to say whether or not Fournette would get the rushing touches he’d like but he’d definitely be appealing because of his dual-threat ability. One of the underrated aspects of Fournette’s game is his pass-catching ability and that could appeal to Bruce Arians, Brady, and company.

Considering Brady’s age (42), I’m sure adding some help to their run game is something in the back of the minds of the Bucs’ decision-makers. Adding a workhorse back like Fournette should help ease those concerns as he could be paired up with Ronald Jones to make one of the league’s best rushing duos.

Several NFL insiders continue to emphasize Jags’ preference to keep Yannick Ngakoue

Yannick Ngakoue is the hottest name on the trade market currently but it appears Shad Khan would prefer to keep him over trading him.

Yannick Ngakoue wants out of Jacksonville but it remains to be seen if he’ll get his request. At this point, most of the fanbase is simply ready for the team to make a move so the organization can simply move away from the fractured relationships caused during Tom Coughlin’s tenure. However, it appears he lead man in the organization, Shad Khan, really would like to keep Ngakoue according to several insiders.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently spoke on the matter to 97.5 the Fanatic of Philadelphia. He went into details of when Ngakoue could be traded in his eyes, what the Jags may want, and emphasized that Khan would prefer to keep him.

“I still think the team; the Jaguars have to move him during the draft. You know, the week of the draft, during the draft, my guess is these are usually deals that are made often while teams are on the clock. They’re going to want back significant compensation for him. It remains to be seen how much they actually will get back. There will be people in that organization, like the owner, who will not want to move him, which means that they’ll be firmer on their price. But if they don’t trade him, then they’ve got a mess on their hands. And I believe the guy, the player, when he said that he doesn’t plan to play for them again. I believe he will continue to sit, so that’s not good for anybody.

I think that the right thing for them to do logistically is to move on from him. And so they’re gonna want a first-round pick, maybe then some for him. I don’t know whether they’ll get a first-round pick for him or not, we’ll see how it shakes out. It could be swapping draft spots; it could be swapping picks; it could be any combination of factors that get a deal done. Now, in the end I would guess that they do trade him. I think they have to. I think that’s the best thing for everybody involved. I don’t think they want that headache on their hands, and I think the owner will see that eventually.”

In terms of the compensation, it’s possible that a team may be willing to give up what the Kansas City Chiefs did for Frank Clark last year as the draft gets closer, which was their 2019 first-round selection, 2020 second rounder, and swapped thirds for 2019.

As an analyst well connected with the Jags, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco echoed those sentiments about Khan wanting to keep Ngakoue, too, on a debate with Jason La Canfora via 105.7 The Fan of Baltimore.

“I hear the owner doesn’t want to trade him no matter what because it’s a bad look for the organization. These guys complain and then you get traded. I’m telling you, unless they get their socks knocked off on some deal [they won’t trade him], which, by the way, isn’t happening. There’s not a lot out there for those pass rushers and we saw that [during the offseason]. Look at [Jadeveon] Clowney. He’s floundering looking for money. He initially asked for $22 million.”

While he didn’t say Khan’s name specifically, NFL insider Ian Rapoport also told Jags Wire something along the lines of Prisco and Schefter, stating that he believes if the Jags had it their way they prefer to have Ngakoue play for them. While Ngakoue’s mind is seemingly made up, Rapoport also added that players have changed their minds in the past about their stance on an organization.

“He is a great asset for Jacksonville. I think if they could just do whatever they wanted, whatever it is, I think they would have him play for them this year. He is a great player. If it’s just on the tag, I think that would be OK for them.

The other thing I’ll say, and I don’t know what’s going to end up happening, if he plays on the tag this year and the experience is OK [maybe] he decides to re-sign. I’ve seen situations where players have called teams a lot of things and ended up back there. Maybe this is a little different but I would think if Jacksonville had the choice, they would have him play for them this season.”

When reflecting on the past, Khan expressed a similar message about cornerback Jalen Ramsey last season after their saga with him, however, they ended up trading him anyway. It’s worth noting that Khan probably would’ve stuck with his word but the Los Angeles Rams’ offer was just too good for the Jags to pass up.

With Ngakoue I’m sure they would do the same if they were offered two more first-round selections. However, that’s unlikely, and instead, they may get an offer closer to the one I mentioned with Clark earlier at best. That would then lead to the question of whether or not that’s good enough for Khan to come off the disgruntled pass-rusher, but only time will tell.