This Seahawks-Jaguars Trade for Yannick Ngakoue Could Actually Work
By Michael Luciano
One of the few game-changers still available on the trade market is Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who appears to be on the move after he was hit with the franchise tag following a season in which he recorded 41 tackles and eight sacks.
The Seattle Seahawks, in need of an edge rusher with Jadeveon Clowney's status up in the air, should stay aggressive and trade for the former Maryland star.
While Ngakoue has the talent and potential to earn Jacksonville a first-round pick in exchange for his services in a trade, that seems almost impossible, considering he is all but refusing to play under the tag in Jacksonville.
However, by offering a second-round pick (No. 59 overall, in this case), and a late-round pick, Seattle could entice Jacksonville to give up Ngakoue, a player who has recorded eight sacks in each of his first four seasons.
If Jacksonville insists on a player in return, safety Bradley McDougald and his $6 million cap hit could give the Jaguars adequate compensation for Ngakoue, in addition to a high draft pick.
Considering that it is unlikely that the Seahawks agree to the excessive financial demands that Clowney is requiring in free agency, they may need to look elsewhere to beef up their pass rush, and trading for Ngakoue could help their defensive line go from below average to above average with one fell swoop.