The Jacksonville Jaguars went big early Monday morning when they sent 2027 second-round and 2028 fifth-round picks to the Atlanta Falcons for All-Pro safety Jessie Bates (trade grade). 

Then they went even bigger Monday evening by swinging a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for standout defensive tackle Jordan Davis. 

By acquiring Bates, the Jaguars found an upgrade for injured starter Eric Murray, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering an elbow injury in Week 7. Bates is likely a rental who is set for free agency after the season. However, Bates is a fantastic player who will make a huge impact for Jacksonville’s defense as the team attempts to reach its first Super Bowl. 

A second- and fifth-round pick is a steep price to pay for only a half-season of any player, although the Jaguars will likely receive a compensatory pick if Bates leaves in free agency. 

While Bates is almost guaranteed to be a rental, the trade for Davis is a move for both the present and the future for Jacksonville. 

Earlier this year, Davis inked a three-year, $78 million extension with $64 million guaranteed. 

Davis instantly becomes not just a big investment for the 2026 season, but for the future. 

The Jaguars are already projected to be over the salary cap in 2027, so it will require some moves to fit Davis’ contract on the books. 

However, the move for Davis arguably makes the Jaguars favorites in the AFC. 

The Jaguars paid a steep price for Davis. Jacksonville sent a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Eagles. 

With the trade, the Jaguars have found their replacement for run-stuffing DT DaVon Hamilton, who is out for the year with a torn quad. 

Jacksonville’s run defense, which had been the best in the NFL, gave up 172 yards to the Baltimore Ravens in the Jaguars’ 33-10 victory on Thursday night. It was clear that the defense desperately missed Hamilton. 

By adding Davis, the Jaguars now have a star DT who not only can help the run defense, but also has pass-rushing ability that Hamilton does not. 

Hamilton is only signed through 2026, so the addition of Davis makes it a real possibility that he has played his last game with the Jaguars. 

The trade for Davis is an enormous risk for Jacksonville. 

The Jaguars are making a giant financial investment in their new DT and have given up a lot of draft capital to acquire him. 

For a team already over the cap next year, the lack of draft picks, especially 2027’s first- and second-round selections, puts enormous pressure on this trade to pay immediate dividends. 

If Jacksonville fails to reach the Super Bowl this season, it will be difficult to view this trade as a success, especially knowing that the team will have to make cap-related cuts before next season. 

However, it can’t be denied that Davis greatly increases the Jaguars’ chances of making the Super Bowl. General manager James Gladstone deserves a lot of credit for recognizing his team’s opportunity to make history this season and not allowing injuries to lower Jacksonville’s ceiling. 

The trade’s success won’t be fully determined until January (hopefully February), but the risk is impossible to ignore, as is the high price Jacksonville paid to acquire Davis. 

Grade: B- (Will become an A if Jaguars get to the Super Bowl)