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Jaguars edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue has been vocal in his displeasure over his situation in Jacksonville and has been pushing for a trade. There have been a number of rumors in recent months about his status.
Michael Lombardi reports a deal might be imminent.
According to NFL sources, Jacksonville is extremely close to trading Yannick Ngakoue today or tomorrow, have a firm offer in place--(hearing a two). looks like this holdout will be over soon and Jacksonville will get more picks for their tanking....
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 19, 2020
He also says the Jets are one of the teams interested in making a deal.
Okay, so this one is real, hearing the team deeply involved is the NY Jets.....that's not fake news. does it happen? not sure, but they are trying.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 19, 2020
Manish Mehta, however, reports the Jets are not currently in discussions to bring the pass rusher to New York.
My understanding is that the Jets are not involved in discussions dealing with Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue as of now.
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) August 19, 2020
I would be inclined to think the Jets are not in serious discussions for Ngakoue. I don’t see any logic for this team giving up a second round pick for his services. It essentially would be trading a second round pick for a one year rental. Ngakoue will play out the 2020 season on the franchise tag, and the deadline has already passed for franchised players to sign a long-term extension.
Seattle only had to give up a third round pick in a similar situation a year ago for Jadeveon Clowney, and unlike the Jets they were focused on the short run.
Ngakoue isn’t a defense-transforming talent, and the Jets’ current positioning makes keeping future assets more prudent than chasing short term gain. Even taking him on the almost $18 million franchise tag would be costly as that would be money the Jets could not roll over for 2021 cap space.