The Jacksonville Jaguars have been busy this offseason shuffling their defense and trading away multiple impact starters. If an NFL team wants to acquire Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, though, the asking price reportedly starts at a first-round pick.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the Jaguars are making it known to other teams that any trade discussions for Ngakoue would need to start with a first-round pick. While Jacksonville’s front office is reportedly open to being more flexible for teams with a top-15 pick, the organization would still require a strong and creative return to move the star pass rusher.
The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Ngakoue before the new league year, ensuring that he wouldn’t hit the open market. However, after holding out during training camp last year over contract negotiations, the 24-year-old made it clear this offseason that he won’t play another snap for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville traded away star defensive lineman Calais Campbell for a fifth-round pick and moved cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round selection. While both teams created enough cap space for the team to potentially sign Ngakoue to an extension, he doesn’t seem interested in making that happen.
Ngakoue will attract plenty of interest across the NFL. While teams might wait to see if the cost comes down, Ngakoue has proven himself to be an outstanding edge rusher. He recorded 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks and four forced fumbles in 15 games. Since being drafted with the 69th pick in 2016, Ngakoue has also registered four consecutive season with eight-plus sacks.