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While Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen doesn't expect the team to change its process during the Week 7 bye, general manager James Gladstone doesn't have to stand pat.
The Jaguars are in a favorable position. The team is 4-2 through six weeks and is a couple of plays away from being undefeated. While their recent loss to the Houston Texans may have taken some wind out of their sails, the team remains one of the NFL's powerhouses.
Jacksonville opted not to invest heavily in outside free agents this offseason. While salary cap restrictions played a role, Jacksonville also wanted to re-sign or extend some of its own players.
That included receiver Jakobi Meyers
and tackle Cole Van Lanen during the year, and cornerback Montaric Brown, linebacker Dennis Gardeck and tight end Quintin Morris among the group of guys re-signed when free agency began. Jacksonville also extended defensive end Travon Walker ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in April.
The team extended long snapper Ross Matiscik and tight end Brenton Strange ahead of training camp.
The Jaguars signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as their lone outside free-agent signee during the early window of free agency.
Still, despite little roster movement from outside the building this spring, the Jaguars could take a look at what's available on the trade market over the next few weeks.
When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?
The 2026 NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 4:00 p.m. ET, just after Week 9 of the regular season.
The Jaguars will return from a road trip to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football as the NFL trade deadline approaches.
Jaguars trade targets stacked on defense
If the Jaguars are active on the trade market, they'll focus on defense.
While the Jaguars boast an elite run-stopping defense, back-end failures offset that success.
Jacksonville ranks fourth in EPA/rush on defense at -0.137, while ranking 18th in the league in EPA/dropback at 0.035. Context helps explain why the team allows 273.8 passing yards per game (30th), but that shouldn't excuse it.
Jacksonville has forced four red-zone interceptions this year, often on days when teams have an easy time between the 20s. Still, while these stats may point to an upgrade in the secondary inbound, it could be the team's linemen who see a shakeup in their room. Well, maybe a corner, too.
Here are four trade targets the Jaguars should watch ahead of the deadline.
Zach Sieler, DL, Miami Dolphins
Sieler, 31, has spent the last seven seasons in Miami after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Dolphins claimed him off waivers in 2019.
The veteran pass-rushing defensive tackle has been one of the NFL's best at getting the quarterback in recent years. In 2023-24, Sieler posted back-to-back 10-sack seasons. Last year, Sieler netted 5.5 sacks and he has two so far this year.
He'd immediately upgrade Jacksonville's interior defensive line, letting the team split his and Arik Armstead's reps or find different combinations to increase pass-rush opportunities.
Potential trade cost: third- or fourth-round pick
Daron Payne, DL, Washington Commanders
The Commanders drafted Payne, 29, with a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He's spent his entire career with the club, playing in 135 games (129 starts). Payne has 443 tackles (241 solos), 85 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, an interception, 25 batted passes, 66 tackles for loss, and 38 sacks.
Payne has had 11 sacks combined in the last three seasons. His career high came in 2022, when he recorded 11.5 sacks. Though Payne hasn't been as productive lately, he could be an ideal trade target as he enters the final year of his deal. If the Commanders are willing to pay some of his base salary to make the deal work, Jacksonville should take the one-year flier opportunity.
Potential trade cost: 2027 fourth-round pick
Moro Ojomo, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
Ojomo, 25, is in the final year of his rookie deal with the Eagles after the team drafted him in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ojomo recorded six sacks last year, playing in all 17 games (nine starts) while Jalen Carter was banged up for part of the 2025 campaign. Ojomo is viewed as a rising player and would likely command a significant contract on the open market. Before that, the Eagles could get compensation early by sending him to Jacksonville for a Day 2 pick.
The Jaguars need help inside. Armstead is in the final year of his contract, and no other interior defender has shown enough pass-rush consistency. An overhaul is coming to the Jacksonville interior d-line, and they may shuffle the deck a bit early.
Potential trade cost: Third-round pick
Emmanuel Forbes Jr., CB, Los Angeles Rams
Forbes, 25, was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
After a middling rookie campaign, the Commanders waived Forbes in 2024. The Los Angeles Rams quickly claimed the former Mississippi State standout and have gotten a lot out of him.
In 2025, Forbes played in all 17 games (14 starts), posting 45 tackles (32 solos), 18 pass breakups and three interceptions. Still, he was consistent enough to earn a 53.8 overall PFF grade, but the Rams demoted him after acquiring Trent McDuffie via trade and signing Jaylen Watson in free agency.
Forbes shouldn't cost much, and if Jacksonville no longer envisions Brian Thomas Jr. in its long-term plans, it could send him to Forbes for a package of picks.
Potential trade cost: 2027 sixth-round pick or part of a trade package sent for Thomas.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on BlueskyatDemetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars trade targets centers on defense with struggles in pass game
