Jaguars Win Trade Deadline Despite Moving Significant Compensation

Heading into the days ahead of the looming trade deadline, the Jacksonville Jaguars were in need of a safety and help on the defensive interior.

The front office addressed both in big ways, bringing in 3-time NFL All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and standout defensive lineman Jordan Davis.

Bates and Davis are both top-10 players at their position, while Godchaux provides a level of veteran leadership that is needed following the season-ending blow to defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton.

To acquire these pieces, the Jaguars parted with a first, two seconds, a fifth, and a sixth, giving up significant draft compensation.

However, with the success the team has had this season, and the aggressiveness from General Manager James Gladstone in the past, the front office believes that there is no time like the present to chase a Super Bowl.

While these moves have drawn some criticism due to the haul given up, longtime radio host Dan Patrick is a fan of this approach, endorsing Jacksonville on his show on Tuesday.

"The Jags made a couple of moves. I love what they did... If you really think you have a team, then add," Patrick said. "Don't be afraid of those draft picks."

There wasn't much quarrel surrounding Jacksonville's first move, which surrendered a second and fifth-rounder to acquire Bates from the Atlanta Falcons.

But, the Davis-deal was the big surprise of the day, as the Philadelphia Eagles had shown no signs of wanting to move their Super Bowl-winning interior lineman.

But, Gladstone clearly sees a fit for Davis not only this year, but into the future, as the interior of the Jaguars' defensive line is aging.

The cap hit for Davis is also team-friendly, with the former Georgia standout making just $607,500 the rest of the year, according to Spotrac.

In the following three years, Davis will make just over $30 million total, which is a bargain for a player projected to be entering his prime.

Any time you give up a first-round pick to acquire a player, it gets put under the microscope, but defensive linemen are at a premier price, and Jacksonville has found it's nose tackle of the future.

Davis, along with Bates and Godchaux, add more talent and experience to an already-rolling Jaguars defense, while showing the NFL world that Jacksonville's front office is making a push.

As of Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., the Jaguars are sitting with the third-best betting odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season, trailing only the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.