The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t exactly been the NFL’s model of success when it comes to roster building dating back to the Tom Coughlin era.
It could take years for Jacksonville’s new regime, led by young GM James Gladstone and first-year head coach Liam Coen, to undue the handy work of former front office head Trent Baalke.
It was a blockbuster move made by former Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell, however, that made Bleacher Report’s list of the league’s worst transactions of the past 10 years.
In 2019, Caldwell swung a monster in-season trade with the Rams, agreeing to part ways with superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey in exchange for a haul of draft picks: a 2020 first-round pick (No. 20 overall) a 2021 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), and a 2021 fourth-rounder. While that deal looks profitable for Jacksonville on paper, the move aged poorly due to the Jaguars’ subsequent decisions in the draft.
“Jacksonville used the 2020 first-round pick on pass-rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, who lasted just four years with the franchise. It used the 2021 first-round pick on running back Travis Etienne Jr., who remains a Jaguar but has been mostly just fine as a starter when healthy,” analyst Kris Knox wrote. “The fourth-round pick acquired in the trade was traded back to L.A. so Jacksonville could move up and draft defensive end Jordan Smith, who is currently playing in the CFL.
“Ramsey, meanwhile, went on to have two first-team All-Pro campaigns and make three straight Pro Bowls with the Rams while helping them win the Super Bowl in 2021.”
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
A sideline spat between then-head coach Doug Marrone and Ramsey played a role in Jacksonville’s decision, as Ramsey reportedly requested to be traded. It’s never a good idea to move on from a franchise player in his prime, though, and Caldwell and Co. learned the hard way after fumbling the ROI of that deal and failing to replace Ramsey with another cornerstone player.
While the draft compensation coming back to Jacksonville was hefty, the Rams were entering a Super Bowl window at the time, which led to both Day 1 picks landing in the back half of the first round. Ramsey, meanwhile, not only won a Super Bowl with the Rams, but went on to earn four Pro Bowl nods and a pair of All-Pro designations with Los Angeles.
It’s safe to say the Rams got the better of that deal, and swapping first-round capital for impact players has come a Les Snead staple. Jaguars fans can only hope their new young regime — led by a Snead protégé in Gladstone — can frame their next 10 years in a better light.
MORE: Tyreek Hill’s viral comments on Jaguars’ Travis Hunter carry significant weight