The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to trade one-time Pro Bowl defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, with The Athletic's Michael Lombardi reporting the AFC South team is “extremely close” to pulling the trigger on a deal.
According to NFL sources, Jacksonville is extremely close to trading Yannick Ngakoue today or tomorrow, have a firm offer in place–(hearing a two). looks like this holdout will be over soon and Jacksonville will get more picks for their tanking….
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 19, 2020
Ngakoue, 25, has been a headache for the Jaguars this past offseason after failing to sign the offered franchise tag. Instead, the former third-round selection by Jacksonville publicly demanded a trade on social media and feuded with team owner Shahid Khan's son Tony.
If a trade does happen, apparently the newly relocated Las Vegas Raiders are one prominent franchise lining up for deal for Ngakoue, per Fox Sports' Adam Caplan.
#Raiders had been reengaged talks with #Jaguars before training camp.
Will be interesting to see who gets him (if he does get moved). https://t.co/8aBB81CEOw
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) August 19, 2020
The Raiders infamously traded away star edge-rusher Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in 2018 for a boatload of picks but in the process severely limited the ceiling of their defense. Now, the AFC West club could help augment their pass rush with an infusion of talent of Ngakoue's skills.
Last season, Ngakoue recorded 41 combined tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception. Ngakoue is entering his fifth season in the NFL after earning one Pro Bowl appearance back 2017, his sophomore campaign as a pro wherein he registered 12 sacks in 16 games.
Given the publicity Ngakoue has drawn during his feud with his current franchise, it should be worth keeping tabs on whether the Maryland product continues to making trouble in a new location or instead settles down after finally earning his wish with a trade.
The Jaguars are expected to get a big haul for Yannick Ngakoue and all that remains is deciding the better offer between reportedly one or two teams, with the Raiders included in the mix.
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