The Jacksonville Jaguars could use reinforcements on defense even after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 30-29 in Week 9. They were reportedly looking for help on at defensive tackle ahead of the game, but they have yet to get a deal done.
It's possible that the Jags are working the phones ahead of the November 4 deadline, and while Trey Hendrickson could give a much-needed boost to the defensive trenches, the Cincinnati Bengals' asking price sure exceeds Jacksonville's budget.
The Bengals are asking for a premium draft pick to trade Trey Hendrickson
Dianna Rusinni of The Athletic reports that Cincy is open to trading Trey Hendrickson but wants a first-round pick in return.
Hendrickson is in the midst of a contract season and doesn't appear to be part of the team's long-term plans. Although he got a pay bump earlier this year, he still wants a long-term extension, and Cicy doesn't appear to be willing to cave to his contract demands. That's made the Pro Bowl pass rusher a hot trade candidate ahead of the deadline.
Although the Jags are looking for reinforcements on the interior defensive line, they could also use help on the edge. Josh Hines-Allen registered 1.5 sacks against the Raiders but hasn't consistently gotten after the quarterback this season. For his part, Travon Walker is still recovering from a wrist injury he suffered early in the year and doesn't seem to be 100 percent. Compounding the issue is that Jacksonville hasn't gotten much production from its pass-rush rotation.
That would make Hendrickson the perfect trade target for the Jags. Although he's dealt with injuries, he remains one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, registering four sacks in seven games. Dating back to 2019, the Florida Atlantic product has logged 79 sacks. The Jags could most definitely use that kind of production. The issue is that trading for him wouldn't come cheap.
The Bengals' asking price for Trey Hendrickson will be a turnoff for the Jaguars
A first-round pick for a player who's entering a contract year and will most likely command a top-market contract if he's available in free agency is simply too much. Maybe if it were a second-round selection, the Jaguars, or any other potential suitor, would make a strong push to trade for Trey Hendrickson.
Simply, it doesn't make sense to allocate so many resources to Hendrickson (new contract, first-round pick) to bolster the pass rusher when they have to make a decision on linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, and pass rusher Travon Walker. The first two are in contract years, and the latter is eligible to get a contract extension.
Couple that with the fact that the Jaguars don't have a first-round pick in 2026 after trading up to select Travis Hunter in this year's draft, and it's hard to see them making a push for Hendrickson. Heck, even if the Bengals were willing to take Jacksonville's first-rounder in 2027, that's simply a luxury Jacksonville cannot afford.
Ultimately, the Jaguars are better off looking for other pass-rusher alternatives ahead of the headline. And if they can't find the right one, they should then wait until the offseason to look for potential upgrades.