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On Tuesday, the NFL Network reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars could still trade standout pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue
The #Jaguars have heard from multiple interested teams about a possible trade for DE Yannick Ngakoue, who turns 25 today. The Jags value him and won’t give him away for little return but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out as we draw closer to the draft.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 31, 2020
Someone, whether it’s Ngakoue or the Jaguars, wants to make sure other teams are interested as we sit 23 days before the trade. Exactly four weeks ago, I looked at the possibility of the Raiders pursuing Ngakoue.
We don’t need to repeat all the reasons why it would make sense. Here’s the bottom line: Ngakoue is a premier player who would make an impact on a defense the Raiders have worked hard to improve in free agency.
Adding Ngakoue to a 2020 shopping list that includes starters, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, would be a defense-transforming move for the Raiders.
But there would be costs. It is speculated here that a trade with Jacksonville would cost a first and second-round pick.
Jags got 2 1st round picks & a 4th round pick for Jalen Ramsey. That's surely a factor in the asking price to acquire Yannick Ngakoue. Frank Clark is probably the floor (a 1st & a 2nd round pick). https://t.co/5bt8kTS1m9
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) March 31, 2020
The Raiders don’t have a second-round pick, so if they wanted to make the deal they might have to offer a first-round pick (preferably No. 19 and not No. 12) plus two third-round picks (they have No. 80, 81 and 91) or next year’s second-round pick.
It’s a big price, but Ngakoue is a player entering his prime who has 37.5 sacks in four seasons. He’d make a great pair with second-year pass-rusher Maxx Crosby.
Sounds good, right? Draft picks are unknowns. Ngakoue is a sure thing.
But he would be tough to fit in on the salary-cap. Ngakoue wants a new deal. The Raiders are pressed against the cap. They would have to move some money around and perhaps give Ngakoue a new extension during the season if it is, indeed, an endeavor the Raiders would be interested in pursuing.
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