Jaguars aggressively pursue All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, engaging in trade talks and targeting him after missing out on Maxx Crosby.
Reports on Sunday have the Jacksonville Jaguars in active trade talks to acquire Eagles All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
After the Baltimore Ravens won the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, sending two first round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jaguars were reportedly one of the teams making a late push for Crosby, according to The Athletic's Diana Russini.
With Crosby off the market, the Jaguars allegedly have shifted focus to the Eagles' uber-talented young defender.
Carter, a Florida native, has had an accomplished career despite being in the NFL for only three seasons. He has already won a Super Bowl, while earning All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors, making his case for best defensive tackle in the league.
Through three seasons, Carter has accumulated 13.5 sacks, 108 total tackles and four forced fumbles.
However, the Eagles have so far prioritized their other young tackle this offseason, giving a record-breaking contract extension to Carter's former college teammate, Jordan Davis. At Georgia, Davis and Carter formed one of the most formidable college defenses of all time, leading the Bulldogs to the 2021 National Championship.
However, with Davis pulling in close to $80 million over the next three seasons, the Eagles may find it difficult to retain Carter.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, interest in Carter intensified immediately after Davis' extension was announced, as teams realized Carter's projected $21 million market value, according to Spotrac, may be too steep for the Eagles to afford.
In a Feb. 23 column from Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox asserted Carter could be in line for even more money, projecting a four-year, $108 million deal, making him the second-highest paid defensive tackle in the league behind the Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones.
"With defensive tackle Jordan Davis now extended, Philly also must weigh whether to extend Jalen Carter, who is eligible for a new deal," Jeremy Fowler wrote on Sunday. "I’m told Philly has received trade calls on Carter."
With one remaining year on his rookie deal, Carter's move from the Eagles is not imminent, but if the young star wants an extension this offseason, it will likely come from another team.
The Jaguars have been making moves to increase cap space, possibly positioning themselves to sign big-name free agents. Bringing in Carter would provide an instant spark for a defensive line unit that finished bottom-six in sacks last season.
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