The Jacksonville Jaguars are dealing with some issues on both sides of the ball. One that hasn't been discussed nearly enough is their inability to stop the run. Just recently, head coach Liam Coen stated that the team would like to see more from the defensive line position.
That said, the Jags should also explore the possibility of trading for help to bolster their interior trenches. The New York Jets could hold the perfect option ahead of the November 4 deadline.
The Jaguars must give the NY Jets a call about Quinnen Williams
Insider Jordan Schultz says the Jets aren't looking to trade Quinnen Williams but are willing to listen to offers, noting that the Pro Bowl defensive tackle is garnering plenty of interest ahead of the deadline.
Williams currently leads the league in run stop percentage among interior defensive linemen. Coincidentally, the Jags are 30th in the league in run stop win rate.
A first-round pick in 2019, Williams has appeared in 98 games with 94 starts and registered 40 sacks and eight forced fumbles in that span. He could come in and start next to Arik Armstead in Jacksonville.
Why the Jaguars need to make a push for Quinnen Williams
The Jets are coming off their first win of the season but currently sit at 1-7. This has led observers, including Schultz himself, to believe that they could be sellers at the trade deadline. Given that their new regime inherited Quinnen Williams, nobody would bat an eye if New York ends up moving him. That said, trading for him may be a bit costly.
The Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft, but they still have their second and three third-round selections. It may take a second-rounder to get a deal done for Williams, but they could offer the Jets a third and a fourth. On top of that, Jacksonville would need to be willing to take on his remaining salary for 2025 and his $20.7 million base salary next year.
After reworking a few deals, the Jags have around $11.9 million in space. They would need to restructure a handful of contracts to fit Williams in, but it can certainly get done.
Ultimately, trading for Quinnen Williams wouldn't come cheap, but it would be worth it. Sure, the Jaguars expect their defensive tackles to step up, but even if they do, having a player of Williams' caliber in the trenches would be huge.