Trade Deadline Deals: What the Jaguars Should Target Before November 4

The Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves at a pivotal moment in their 2025 campaign. After starting the season 4-1 with an impressive victory over the reigning AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs, the team has stumbled through a two-game losing streak that has exposed critical weaknesses on both sides of the ball. As the November 4 trade deadline approaches, general manager James Gladstone faces crucial decisions that could determine whether this franchise can sustain its playoff push or squander another promising start.​

Currently sitting at 4-3 and holding the seventh seed in the AFC playoff picture, the Jaguars maintain a 52% chance of reaching the postseason according to recent projections. With the team positioned squarely on the playoff bubble, examining NFL futures reveals Jacksonville’s Super Bowl odds at +7000, a significant improvement from their preseason +9000 projection. These shifting odds reflect both the team’s early-season promise and the growing sense that additional reinforcements could transform them from a wild-card hopeful into a legitimate contender. The question facing Gladstone is whether to invest in that possibility or accept the current roster’s limitations.​

Edge Rush Remains the Most Pressing Need

The Jaguars’ pass rush has regressed significantly since their hot start, with Josh Hines-Allen managing less than one full sack through seven games despite his reputation as one of the league’s premier edge defenders. Travon Walker has battled a wrist injury that has prevented him from reaching full health, while depth pieces Emmanuel Ogbah and Dawuane Smoot have provided only rotational value. This lack of consistent pressure has directly contributed to Jacksonville’s defensive struggles during their recent skid.​

Trey Hendrickson stands out as the most impactful pass rusher potentially available at the deadline. The Cincinnati Bengals’ four-time Pro Bowler has logged four sacks through six games this season while posting a Pro Football Focus grade of 86.5. However, recent reports suggest the Bengals are unlikely to move Hendrickson following their Week 7 victory, with Cincinnati setting a steep asking price of a young contributor plus a mid-round pick. While Hendrickson would represent the ideal acquisition for Jacksonville’s defensive front, the cost may prove prohibitive.​

A more realistic target could be Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are fielding numerous calls about their edge rushers as they sit at 1-6, and Phillips appears more likely to be moved than teammate Bradley Chubb. Phillips carries a manageable cap hit under $13.2 million and is entering the final year of his contract, making him an ideal rental candidate for a team pushing for the playoffs. Though he has just one sack this season, Phillips has registered an 80.1 pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus, ranking 16th among edge defenders. His availability at a reasonable price—likely a mid-round pick—makes him an attractive option for Gladstone.​

Bradley Chubb represents another intriguing possibility from Miami’s potential fire sale. Despite missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL, Chubb has tallied four sacks in seven games this season, demonstrating he can still be productive. Unlike Phillips, Chubb remains under contract through 2027, providing Jacksonville with a long-term solution rather than a half-season rental. However, his $31 million-plus cap hits in 2026 and 2027 would require careful financial maneuvering.​

Running Back Options Could Provide Offensive Balance

While the Jaguars’ running game started strong under offensive coordinator Liam Coen—leading the NFL with 169.5 rushing yards per game through two weeks—production has fallen off dramatically during the losing streak. Travis Etienne remains the featured back after the team traded Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia in September, but the depth behind him consists of rookie Bhayshul Tuten and practice squad call-up Cody Schrader. Adding a proven veteran could help restore balance to Jacksonville’s offense.​

The Alvin Kamara rumors that have circulated league-wide appear to be a non-starter. The 30-year-old Saints running back has made it abundantly clear he has no interest in leaving New Orleans, going so far as to joke that he would “go drink piña coladas somewhere” if traded—a thinly veiled retirement threat. With Kamara’s emphatic stance eliminating him from consideration, the Jaguars must look elsewhere.​

Other running backs potentially available include Breece Hall from the New York Jets, though the Jets’ 2-5 record hasn’t yet pushed them into full seller mode. Hall has amassed 157 rushing yards on 38 carries through three weeks but has yet to find the end zone. His talent is undeniable, but acquiring him would likely require significant draft capital that might be better spent addressing the pass rush.​

Interior Defensive Line Depth Worth Exploring

While edge rush remains the primary focus, the Jaguars could also benefit from reinforcements at defensive tackle. Arik Armstead has bounced back from an underwhelming 2024 season, but the rotation behind him—DaVon Hamilton, Khalen Saunders, and Maason Smith—hasn’t provided consistent disruption in the trenches. Recent reports indicate Jacksonville is specifically searching for defensive help, which could extend beyond just edge rushers.​

The Path Forward

With 13 draft picks available in 2026, Gladstone possesses the ammunition to make multiple moves before the deadline. The team’s recent restructuring of Greg Newsome’s contract has freed up additional cap space, further positioning Jacksonville to be aggressive. Given the competitive AFC landscape and the narrow margin between playoff contention and mediocrity, the Jaguars’ front office must carefully weigh whether this roster is one or two pieces away from a legitimate postseason run.​

The most prudent approach would target an edge rusher like Jaelan Phillips who can be acquired without mortgaging the future, while exploring affordable depth additions at running back and defensive tackle. Jacksonville’s window with Trevor Lawrence’s current contract structure makes 2025 a critical year to capitalize on, and standing pat while division rivals improve could prove costly in a tightly bunched AFC South race.