Jaguairs Pay 2027 First-Rounder for Jordan Davis in Deadline Trade

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired defensive lineman Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, submitting a trade offer that included a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick. The exchange finalized the movement of the 26-year-old player to Florida one day before the NFL trade deadline. Davis joins Jacksonville under the remaining terms of a three-year, $78 million contract extension he signed with the Eagles in March.

The Jaguars, currently holding a 6-2 record, also secured Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III and New Orleans Saints nose tackle Davon Godchaux in separate transactions. These moves were the most substantial additions to the defensive roster this week. General Manager James Gladstone noted that interior defensive linemen typically reach their peak performance closer to age 30. Davis is currently 26, making him a long-term asset for the franchise.

Jacksonville entered the deadline with only two interior defensive linemen under contract for the 2027 season: Ruke Orhorhoro and rookie Albert Regis. The team anticipated using its next first-round draft selection on a defensive tackle. By trading for Davis, the organization avoided a future draft gamble in favor of a proven starter. The additional second-round pick was used to outbid other teams interested in Davis.

Davis spent the final four and a half years of his career with the Eagles before the trade. He described his departure on Monday while traveling to the Philadelphia airport, where he listened to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” on his phone. He stated that he tried not to cry during the flight, viewing the song as a summary of his time in Philadelphia. Davis said Wednesday that he has no bad blood with the Eagles and remains grateful for the development he experienced there.

“The time that I spent in Philly, I have grown so much from that, and I became a better player because of it, became a better man because of it,” Davis said. “I would never sit there and turn my back on Philly. I don’t have any hate. I don’t have any bad blood.” He added that the trade is simply the nature of the business and that he has a new city to embrace.

Davis will reunite with college teammate Travon Walker in Jacksonville, where the two have assigned side-by-side lockers. Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile previously worked under current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Miami in 2023, creating scheme familiarity for Davis. The new defensive front includes 6-foot-7 defensive tackle Arik Armstead, 6-foot-5 defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, and 6-foot-5 Walker. Davis, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 336 pounds, joined this group to increase size and depth.

The Jaguars’ defense ranked second in the league in points allowed before the trades, averaging 15.1 points per game. It also ranked fifth against the run. The three new acquisitions bring a combined 17 games of playoff experience. Davis leads the group with nine such games, including a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles following the 2024 season. Bates also played in a Super Bowl. Davis aims to learn the defense quickly to contribute in a Sunday game against the Tennessee Titans.