Most of the chatter surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason season has centered on Trevor Lawrence and getting him help this season. Having said that, they must also make upgrades to the defense if they want to right the ship in 2025. Already, they dismissed defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen and hired Anthony Campanile to take his place.
So far, the Campanile hire has gotten rave reviews, but if the Jaguars want the first-time defensive coordinator to have success right off the bat, they need to give him better ingredients to cook with.
Granted, Jacksonville has several building blocks in place (Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Tyson Campbell, Foyesade Oluokun, but their defense could most definitely use an infusion of talent. Trading for any of the following players would get it done and make Campanile a happy man.
Jaire Alexander, cornerback
This is probably the trade that makes the most sense because Jaire Alexander and Anthony Campanile spent the last season together. Add the fact that cornerback is one of Jacksonville's top needs right now, and it's a no-brainer.
Alexander was a second-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2018. At one point of his career, he was one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. However, injuries limited him to 14 games the past two years. This has led to speculation about his future in Green Bay.
The downside of trading for the two-time Pro Bowl nod is that the Jaguars will also need to add insurance in case he can't stay healthy in 2025. Nevertheless, it's a low-risk, high-reward move. It's also worth noting that there's a chance that the Packers release Alexander, so the Jags may not need to trade for him to acquire him.
Greg Newsome, cornerback
If the Jaguars want a younger healthier option than Jaire Alexander, Greg Newsome is their guy. A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, Newsome showed promise early in his career but was phased out in favor of Martin Emerson in the boundaries. To make matters worse, he suffered a hamstring injury that ended in the 2024 season prematurely.
Newsome says he's now healthy and is aware he needs to avoid injuries if he wants to help his team. That said, there may no longer be room for him in Cleveland. If the Browns put him on the trade block, his ability to play inside or outside should get the Jaguars interest. In Jacksonville, he could start opposite Tyson Campbell from Day 1.
Harold Landry III, edge rusher
Outside linebacker Harold Landry IIi has been a mainstay of the Tennessee Titans defense since he was drafted in 2018. However, there's a new regime in Nashville, and he isn't part of its long-term plans. Part of the reason is that the former Boston College Eagle hasn't been nearly as productive since suffering a torn ACL in 2022.
But despite the injury, Landry remains a productive player, registering a combined 19 sacks the past two years. Add the fact that the Jags would weaken a division foe if they traded for him, and giving the Titans a call might be worth a shot. Sure, he's got a base salary of $17.5 million in 2025, which is a bit steep. Then again, having him join Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen would turn the Jaguars' pass rush into one of the most terrifying ones in the NFL.
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