JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars went all-in for a Super Bowl run Monday with a trio of trades for defensive players, led by a blockbuster deal for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
The Jaguars sent a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to the Eagles for Davis, who was the No. 13 pick in 2022 and taken 12 spots behind former Georgia teammate and current Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker.
The Davis trade capped a busy day for the Jaguars, who addressed their biggest defensive weaknesses by sending the Atlanta Falcons a 2027-second round pick and 2028 fifth-round pick for safety Jessie Bates III on Monday morning and a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. The pick in the Godchaux could rise to a 2027 sixth-round selection if conditions are met. Jacksonville currently does not have a 2027 sixth-round pick, but it would go to New Orleans if the Jaguars eventually acquire one.
The NFL’s trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
The Jaguars needed help along the defensive line after losing nose tackle DaVon Hamilton to a season-ending quad injury during their Week 8 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Hamilton was the key to the run defense, which at the time was No. 1 in the NFL. They’re turning to Davis, 26, to fill that role.
“Jordan’s impact on the field can be felt on every down,” Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said. “This is a well-rounded premier player and person. We’re excited to add him to the team.”
The 6-foot-6, 336-pound Davis has 193 tackles (17 for loss), 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in four-plus seasons with the Eagles. Interior pass rush had been one of the defense’s weaknesses the past two seasons and Davis should help that in addition to helping shore up a run defense that gave up 172 yards last Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens in the first game without Hamilton.
The Eagles signed Davis to a three-year, $78 million contract extension ($64.4 million guaranteed) in March. The extension begins after the 2026 season.
The extension came after Davis had a career season in 2025 in which he posted highs in sacks (4.5), tackles for loss (9), quarterback hits (6), tackles (72) and passes defensed (6), helping him land a three-year, $78 million contract extension in March.
It has been a quieter 2026 season by comparison for Davis, who has 1.5 sacks and 31 tackles through nine games. His snaps have dropped from 62% last season to 52% this year. While he has played in every game, Davis appeared on the injury report with an ankle injury earlier this season and also recently revealed he has been playing through a hand issue.
The Eagles had been signaling to teams they were not looking to trade defensive tackle Moro Ojomo before the deadline despite Ojomo being in the final year of his rookie deal. Philadelphia can now pursue a contract extension with Ojomo. He will be paired with Jalen Carter, who received a four-year, $152 million extension this summer.
The Eagles (2-7), who have lost seven straight games, now have 10 picks in the first two rounds of the next three drafts.
The 29-year-old Bates, who is in the final year of a four-year, $64 million contract, was acquired to replace injured starter Eric Murray, who will miss the remainder of the season because of an elbow injury.
The Jaguars rank 22nd in pass defense (229 yards per game) but lead the league in turnover ratio (plus-9) and their 11 interceptions rank third. Bates, who made the Pro Bowl in 2023, has 28 career interceptions and has had at least one in every season of his nine-year career.
Bates has missed only three games in his career, which began with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 as a second-round pick. He signed with Atlanta in 2023.
Godchaux, who turns 32 on Wednesday and is in the final season of an $11 million contract, is a run-stuffing tackle who will figure into the defensive line rotation. He has 487 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 27 QB hits in his 10-year career, which began as a fifth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2017. The Saints acquired him in a trade with the New England Patriots in 2025.
ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.
