{"id":52568,"date":"2018-11-02T16:49:07","date_gmt":"2018-11-02T20:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=52568"},"modified":"2021-03-14T16:58:41","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T20:58:41","slug":"jacksonville-jaguars-are-winners-in-dante-fowler-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/11\/02\/jacksonville-jaguars-are-winners-in-dante-fowler-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jacksonville Jaguars Are Winners in Dante Fowler Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> did not trade for a new player on Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline. But they did trade former number three overall pick Dante Fowler<\/a><\/strong>. Fowler is now on the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> and the Jaguars got a few future picks for the trade. This was a smart move for the team for a few reasons. The team is eyeing future contracts and building through the draft.<\/p>\n

Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Will Win the Dante Fowler Trade<\/h1>\n

Upcoming Contract Decisions<\/h2>\n

The Jaguars currently have a loaded defense in terms of talent and recent free agent\/rookie signings. Jalen Ramsey<\/a><\/strong> and Yannick Ngakoue<\/a><\/strong> are both in the third year of their four-year rookie contracts. Both have played well. Calais Campbell<\/a><\/strong> is in the second year of a four-year contract and there is a potential out after this season. Marcell Dareus<\/a><\/strong> was traded to the Jaguars<\/a> last season and is in the middle of a six-year contract that has a potential out after 2018. It’s not likely that both Campbell and Dareus will be on the team next year, but with them and the promise Ngakoue has shown, it was wise to get rid of Fowler.<\/p>\n

Ngakoue has shown the type of play the Jaguars were likely hoping to get from Fowler. Ngakoue has 19 career sacks so far, while Fowler has 14 (missed his first season due to an ACL tear in minicamp). Not only has Ngakoue outplayed third round expectations, he also doesn’t have off the field problems. Many Jacksonville fans remember hearing the news<\/a> that Fowler had an altercation with an old man because of his driving. Ngakoue is good on and off the field and plays with a chip on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

Ramsey and Ngakoue highlight young talent the Jaguars should keep because they’ll comprise the nucleus of the defense for years to come. Because of them and veteran contract decisions, it was wise to trade Fowler.<\/p>\n

Build Through the Draft<\/h2>\n

Many people have heard the saying that “good teams build through the draft.” In the recent past, this hasn’t been true for the Jaguars. In fact, despite multiple top 10 picks in the last decade, Jacksonville has not yet successfully built through the draft. The team has been very active in free agency in recent years. The team has added Campbell, A.J. Bouye<\/a><\/strong>, Chris Ivory<\/a><\/strong>, Malik Jackson<\/a><\/strong>, and others through free agency. While most of these players are good adds, they have big contracts. It’s better to build through the draft than free agency.<\/p>\n

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With the trade deadline passing, the @Jaguars<\/a> now have seven selections in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft:<\/p>\n

\u2022 1st
\u2022 2nd
\u2022 3rd
\u2022 3rd (Los Angels Rams\u2019 3rd acquired today for DE Fowler Jr.)
\u2022 4th
\u2022 6th
\u2022 7th (Baltimore's 7th acquired in trade for OL Bowanko on Sept. 2, 2017)<\/p>\n

— Tad Dickman (@TadDickman_) October 30, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n