The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty to like about where they stand, but the trade deadline still gives them a chance to get sharper in a hurry. And if they’re going to make one move that actually changes the shape of this roster, the name that rises to the top is Los Angeles Chargers pass-rusher Khalil Mack.
That doesn’t mean the Jaguars’ biggest needs are on the edge. Their secondary has been beat up all season, and there’s a real case for cornerback depth. The same problems that showed up in last season’s Wild Card loss are still hanging around, even with Travis Hunter locked in as a true lockdown No. 1 cornerback.
Still, Mack makes sense because the Jaguars don’t have enough consistent pressure outside of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. The pass rush flashes, but it isn’t deep enough. Jacksonville ranks No. 9 in pressure rate at 39.1%, a jump of about 4% from its 2025 number, but that production has come with heavy blitzing baked in.
When the Jaguars blitz, they get home at a 49.3% clip, which would rank No. 1 in the NFL this year by standard pressure rate. When they don’t blitz, that number falls to 33.6%. That’s still 10th-best in the league when rushing four, but it tells the bigger story: this defense is manufacturing pressure instead of creating it naturally.
And the lack of help is obvious beyond the top two edge defenders. Arik Armstead has had some strong games on the inside, but he’s also disappeared in others.
Out of 130 qualifying rushers, Dennis Gardeck, Bryan Thomas Jr., and Danny Striggow rank No. 90, No. 123, and No. 129 in pass-rush win-rate.
That’s why a fifth-round pick for Mack makes sense. His win rate checks in at No. 70, but he’d be the Chargers’ No. 2 option and the Jaguars’ No. 3, which fits both his stage in his career and Jacksonville’s rotation needs. As a cheap rental, he would give the Jaguars another legitimate source of pressure without forcing them to keep asking two players to carry the load.
There’s also a ripple effect here. Mack would let Dennis Gardeck slide into a more rotational role, which fits him better. It would also make more sense to move Walker inside more often on passing downs, another spot where he can do more damage.
The value doesn’t stop at the deadline, either. If Mack leaves in free agency next season, Jacksonville could potentially recoup what it sends out through a future compensatory pick. That would make this more than just a short-term fix; it would be a tidy piece of team-building.
The catch is that the Jaguars can’t drag their feet. Mack is the kind of player other teams will chase, especially given his position, his track record, and the fact that it would likely only take a Day 3 pick to land him from the winless Chargers. The Chicago Bears have already been linked to him, and more teams are likely to join the race.
If Jacksonville wants the rental - and the possible future pick that comes with it - the front office has to act fast.
In Other News...
Colts Facing A Deadline Decision That Could Affect The Jaguars
The Colts uneven start has put them in an awkward spot heading toward the NFL trade deadline, and the ripple effects could reach Jacksonville. Sitting at 2-4, Indianapolis is reportedly weighing whether to stay the course or begin selling off pieces, with ESPNs Jeremy Fowler saying the team may wait another week or two before settling on a direction based on how the next stretch plays out.
For the Jaguars, the uncertainty matters because any move Indianapolis makes could reshape the AFC South landscape in a hurry. The Colts do not have a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, which makes future draft capital especially valuable if they decide to move veteran players, but there still is no final decision on whether they will hold or deal as the deadline approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Suddenly Face A Bigger Problem Than Anton Harrison's Absence
Anton Harrisons ACL injury is a brutal blow for a Jaguars offensive line that was already bracing for change. Walker Little is set to step in at left tackle for the rest of the season, giving Jacksonville an immediate answer on the field while also forcing the staff to adjust around one of the most important spots in the protection plan.
The bigger issue may be what comes next. Harrisons injury leaves the Jaguars staring at an uncertain long-term picture at left tackle, and it sharpens the need to identify and develop a young offensive tackle before the 2027 offseason arrives. For a team trying to build something sustainable, the depth chart just became a reminder that the future at one of footballs most critical positions still needs to be solved. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Bye Week Could Quietly Shape The AFC South Race
The Jaguars enter their Week 7 bye in a surprisingly strong spot at 4-2, sitting atop the AFC South while the rest of the division keeps sorting itself out around them. Even with Jacksonville off this week, the standings can still tilt in its favor depending on how a handful of other games shake out, with results involving Houston, Tennessee and a few other AFC contenders all carrying some weight for the playoff picture.
There is also the matter of the Colts, whose uneven start and recent front office changes have only added more uncertainty to the division race Jacksonville is chasing through the second half of the schedule. For a team that has already banked an early lead, the bye offers a chance to watch the board and see whether a quiet weekend can leave the Jaguars with an even better path once they get back to work. [Read more 🡒]