NFL Trade Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars' Defensive Player Drawing Interest, Wants To Be Moved

Nearly half of the NFL teams used the franchise tag to prevent one of its players from hitting free agency. One of those players finds himself in trade rumors, and it appears that he prefers to be sent elsewhere for the 2020 season.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, multiple teams have inquired with the Jacksonville Jaguars regarding Yannick Ngakoue’s availability. The defensive end reportedly can’t be had for cheap, but the 25-year-old believes it’s obvious that his “time is up’” in Jacksonville.

If the last several months are any indication, Ngakoue is likely to be moved at some point soon. The Jaguars have traded a few of their best players since the middle of the 2019 season.

Jacksonville traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two first-round draft picks and a fourth-round pick in October. On March 15, it was reported that the Jaguars agreed to send defensive end Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens for a fifth-rounder. Three days later, quarterback Nick Foles was dealt to the Chicago Bears for a compensatory fourth-round pick.

It might take at least a first-round draft pick in order for Jacksonville to give up Ngakoue. He had 8.0 sacks and 41 tackles in 15 games last season. Ngakoue has totaled 37.5 sacks and two interceptions in four seasons with the Jaguars.

Ngakoue was a Pro Bowl selection in the 2017 season when Jacksonville reached the AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars have finished in last place in the AFC South in each of the last two seasons.

The franchise tag would pay Ngakoue a guaranteed one-year salary of $17.8 million. The Jaguars and Ngakoue have until July 15 to come to terms on a multi-year contract, though that seems unlikely.

If Ngakoue is traded, he is likely to sign an extension with his new team.

Only three defensive ends make at least $18 million per season.