Trade season has officially commenced in the NFL, and big names have already changed teams still weeks away from the Nov. 5 deadline.
Given their 1-5 start to the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are more likely to field calls on their top players, rather than calling other teams for theirs. Jacksonville has already sold veteran defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round draft pick in 2026.
Tyler Brook of the 33rd Team recently proposed a trade idea that would help set the Jaguars up for the rebuild they appear headed towards.
With the Detroit Lions hurting for pass rush help after losing superstar Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury, Brooke believes the Jaguars could recoup a pair of second-round draft picks from the Lions in exchange for outside linebacker Josh-Hines Allen.
Here’s Brooke’s take on the hypothetical proposal:
The Jaguars are in freefall after a blowout loss to the Chicago Bears in London, moving to 1-5 on the season. Big changes are likely coming this offseason, and if they want to embrace a full rebuild, trading one of their biggest assets in Hines-Allen could be a worthwhile move to pick up significant draft capital while clearing their cap space. The problem with a potential Hines-Allen trade is that the Jaguars just gave him a five-year, $141 million extension to make him one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL. Even if the Lions wanted to take on that contract, it would make things much harder for them to extend Hutchinson once his rookie deal expires after the 2025 season. A first-rounder might be in the mix for a potential Hines-Allen trade. The Dolphins traded first- and fourth-round picks, along with running back Chase Edmonds, for Bradley Chubb just a few seasons ago.
However, given that Chubb was still on his rookie deal and Hines-Allen has already signed a massive extension, it may be hard to convince a team to give up a first-round pick while taking on such a large salary. It's a true long shot, but the Jaguars might be open to fielding some trade calls for Hines-Allen at the deadline if someone is willing to offer them multiple top draft picks.
It’s easy to see the Jaguars selling big-name players, like running back Travis Etienne Jr., wide receiver Christian Kirk or even Travon Walker, if teams are willing to pony up draft picks.
Hines-Allen? As Brooke notes in his full report, this one’s quite a stretch.
The Jaguars used the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 draft on Hines-Allen and have since locked him up as the cornerstone of the defense. The 27-year-old is coming off a career year in 2023 with 17.5 sacks.
There aren’t many untouchables on this Jaguars roster, but three players who qualify are quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and Hines-Allen.
Jacksonville should definitely look to acquire as many draft picks as possible for players not long for the team. Franchise cornerstones at key positions should be off the table, though, so this Hines-Allen hypothetical feels like an easy fade for the Jags.
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Ryan OLeary
Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.
