Yannick Ngakoue has been one of the most underrated players in the NFL for multiple years now. Despite not being the biggest household name in the media, he has 37.5 sacks in just 63 games. Ngakoue has shown consistency throughout his career, having at least 8 sacks every year and being very healthy overall. Yannick has demonstrated time and time again that he is one of the most disruptive pass rushers at the edge position, and its time for him to get paid.
Ngakoue has been hinting that he wants out of Jacksonville for a while now on social media. His post Monday morning on Twitter confirmed that he will no longer sign a long-term extension with Jacksonville. Despite this, the Jaguars understand that they need to get something for one of there best players. Therefore the Jaguars will use the franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue per Adam Schefter.
Yannick Ngakoue Franchise Tag Options
Trade Value and Scenarios
The Jaguars used the franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue; however, there is almost no chance he ever plays another snap for the Jaguars again. Even though Ngakoue was tagged, there is no chance he plays under it. The best option at this point would be to trade him.
Ngakoue should have a relatively high trade stock since he is a young edge rusher with production. A good comparison would be Frank Clark, who the Seahawks traded for a first-round pick and a mid-round pick swap. I doubt the Jaguars get the same amount of compensation the Seahawks did, but they do have similar trade value. Another comparable trade is when the Chiefs got a 2nd round 2020 pick for Dee Ford. Still, Yannick is a tier above him in talent, and the Jaguars would be looking for draft compensation this year as Doug Marrone and Dave Caldwell are on the hot seat.
Overall I reckon a late first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft would be the best-case scenario for the Jaguars. Teams, including the Bills at 22, Dolphins at 26, or Ravens at 28, are all possible trade partners for Ngakoue. However, since teams know that Ngakoue won’t be playing in Jacksonville next year, they may low ball them with offers. If a first isn’t possible, I think a 2nd round pick and 3rd round pick is another likely scenario. Teams such as Arizona at 40 or Giants at 36 could pair a third-round round pick for Ngakoue.
Ngakoue’s Market Value
Recently, another report has come out that Yannick Ngakoue is seeking 22 million per year in a new deal. Ngakoue basically confirmed this with a recent subtweet of the news. It’s hard to see Ngakoue become the highest-paid edge with Khalil Mack averaging 23.5 million per year; however, he can undoubtedly demand more than other edge players such as Frank Clark (5 years 105.5 million) and Demarcus Lawrence (5 years 105 million) who are the 2nd and 3rd highest-paid edge rushers. These players have both had very nice highpoints in their careers. Still, Ngakoue will arguably get more because he has been more consistent as a pass rusher throughout his career. This is more important for his position than run defense, which many who aren’t as high on Ngakoue will cite. Although Ngakoue isn’t exceptional in run defense, he has gotten better in run defense every year over his career on film and statistically, tying his highest tackles for loss this season with 13. Therefore paying him more than players such as Clark and Lawrence makes a lot of sense. Whether it’s through free agency or via trade, Ngakoue will likely get what he is seeking with a 5 year 110 million deal.
Yannick Ngakoue has been a franchise player for the Jaguars since he stepped on the field. Despite only playing 4 years, he is the 2nd all-time sack leader for the Jaguars. With his contract up, its time for Yannick to get a long term extension. After news broke that Yannick Ngakoue won’t resign, Jacksonville now needs to find a trade partner to get some assets for one of their best players in recent memory.
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