:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63663993/usa_today_11641809.0.jpg)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are sitting with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft in kind of a no man’s land area. They’re not going to be picking a quarterback and the teams directly behind them don’t appear to be, either. Most of the elite defensive lineman are expected to be snapped up before their pick, so most mocks have them going for a right tackle or a tight end.
Trade down options seem few and far between, but if someone like Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver falls into the Jaguars lap at No. 7, they might have a dance partner in the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons apparently are looking to trade up for Ed Oliver in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Assuming the interest is genuine--and Pauline himself suggests it’s far from a lock to happen--the question is what it would take to get there. The Jets have been linked to Oliver in recent days, but the Jets also seem desperate to move down and may be trying to gin up interest. The Raiders at #4, Buccaneers at #5, Jaguars at #7, and Bills at #8 are all threats to take Oliver, too, and the Falcons would have to probably at least get to #8 to get him. They might have to go as high as #3, which would be a costly sort of move to make, and I still think they’d be hesitant to do anything that will cost them picks next year.
The Falcons currently hold the No. 14 overall pick so I’m not sure exactly what kind of compensation you would need to slide down seven spots, but considering what most project the Jaguars to pick seventh overall it could make some sense to take a little less to slide down and end up with the same position/players.
Sure Jawaan Taylor and TJ Hockenson might get snapped up before the 14th pick, but you still have good alternatives at those positions that would make sense at No. 14 like Jonah Williams, Andre Dillard, Noah Fant and potentially even someone like Christian Wilkins or Brian Burns as possibilities.
Everyone always wants to trade down for more picks, but the Jaguars with David Caldwell as general manager have repeatedly turned down trade offers to get their guy, so it will be interesting if they do so once again.