The Jaguars were quiet in free agency, letting notable players Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd sign with other teams, re-signing Montaric Brown and Dennis Gardeck, and signing just one outside free agent in Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Pass rusher is the team’s most glaring need, and it was not addressed in free agency. With the Jaguars not picking until late in the second round of the NFL Draft, it will be difficult to address the position properly.
Two Trades the Jaguars Can Make to Improve Their Pass Rush
Josh Sweat of the Arizona Cardinals is one of the top edge rushers in the NFL and would help the Jaguars out in a big way. The eight-year veteran finished the 2025 season with a career-high 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, 13 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits.
The Arizona Cardinals are entering a rebuild and could look to trade Sweat to attain future draft capital. Sweat’s age will make his market cheaper and could cost only a Day 2 pick. The Jaguars have three third-round picks in this upcoming draft, as well as two fourth-round picks in 2027.
The Jaguars have only $5.9 million in cap space, but Sweat’s contract is extremely manageable. In 2026, his cap number will be $16.3 million and will jump to $26.6 million in 2027 and 2028. If he does not perform, his dead cap hit in 2027 would cost $11.1 million, and save the Jaguars $12.5 million. In 2028, the dead cap hit drops to just $7.4 million, while saving the Jaguars $16.2 million. If the Jaguars were to execute this trade, Travon Walker would be moved inside to defensive tackle. Walker has shown flashes along the interior and could have an excellent year at a new position.
A player who could improve the Jaguars interior defensive line is Dolphins pass rusher Zach Sieler. Sieler recorded 25.5 sacks over the last three seasons, with back-to-back 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. His presence next to Arik Armstead would significantly boost the Jaguars’ interior pass rush.
Zach Sieler is one of two NFL DTs with 10+ TFLs in each of the last three seasons.
His 25.5 sacks since 2023 leads all DTs. pic.twitter.com/8ExmbXlXYm
— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) March 17, 2026
Sieler’s age is the biggest concern for the Jaguars. He will turn 31 just before the 2026 season and is coming off his lowest sack total since 2022. However, the Jaguars can still benefit in the short term. In 2026, his salary cap number is just $11 million, money that can easily be moved around for. In 2027, his cap number jumps to $20.7 million, with a $12 million dead cap hit. His dead cap hit in 2028 and 2029 will combine for just $11.1 million, while saving the Jaguars $35.5 million. Essentially, a two-year contract at a position of need.
This move would allow for edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker to affect the quarterback and finish plays more consistently. The duo has struggled to sack the quarterback on a week-to-week basis due to the lack of interior pressure generated alongside them. Sieler, paired with Armstead, can collapse the pocket enough for Walker and Hines-Allen to sack the quarterback.
From 2022-2025, #Jaguars DEs Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have combined for 68 sacks.
The next 10 leaders in sacks for the team in that period combined for 51 sacks
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) March 18, 2026
Most QB pressures when blocked 1-on-1 in 2025, per @NextGenStats:
1. Aidan Hutchinson – 70
2. Will Anderson Jr. – 65
3. Nik Bonitto – 61
4. Josh Hines-Allen – 60
5. Micah Parsons – 52
6. YaYa Diaby – 51
7. Jared Verse – 50
8. Jaelan Phillips – 49
9. Zach Allen – 46
9. Dre’Mont…— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) March 19, 2026
The Jaguars have the franchise pieces, but need another boost to take their pass rush to the next level. Adding a player like Josh Sweat or Zach Sieler would address these weaknesses and unlock Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
