Shad Khan wants Yannick Ngakoue as part of the Jaguars future

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a contract offer for veteran defensive end and former third-round pick Yannick Ngakoue during the offseason, while he was skipping parts of voluntary organized team activities and mini-camp, however the two sides could not come to an agreement on the type of deal to sign. Many Jaguars fans were worried the team was going to play hardball with one of their bright young players and lose Ngakoue, but Jaguars owner Shad Khan has seemingly made it clear that he wants the productive defensive end as part of their future.

The team originally picked Ngakoue in the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft, which seemed like it was going to be one of the Jaguars best drafts ever, netting not only Ngakoue, but also Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Myles Jack.

Ultimately the team netted a draft pick haul for Ramsey and recently re-signed Jack, but there has been some concern Ngakoue would not get re-signed. It would be prudent for the Jaguars to re-sign someone like Ngakoue, who has been exactly the kind of player you want to build the core of your team with. He’s someone who is productive, rarely misses games, plays through injury and will never be questioned for his work ethic.

Not only that, but with the rise of rookie first round pick pass rusher Josh Allen, locking up Ngakoue while Allen is locked into a cost-controlled rookie contract lets you offset paying a pass rusher while you have his bookend partner on the cheap.

I would expect if the two sides can’t come to a long term deal prior to the 2020 offseason, Ngakoue will be a prime candidate for the franchise tag.