3 Observations on Jaguars' Trade For Khalen Saunders

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a surprising move on Sunday, trading for New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and moving center Luke Fortner in the process.

So, what do we make of the Jaguars' latest roster shakeup and what it means moving forward? We break it down below.

Saunders provides much-needed depth

Aug 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (50) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Jaguars needed serious help in terms of defensive tackle depth, and they got that with Saunders. No, he is not an every-down difference maker, but what they needed was a player who would raise the floor of the defensive tackle room. The ceiling will remain a question mark, but Saunders has appeared in 68 regular season games with 32 starts and has six playoff appearance. That will play.

Again, Saunders won't change the entire complexion of the unit, but the Jaguars needed a second nose tackle behind DaVon Hamilton and now they have that player firmly in place.

James Gladstone made a shrewd move

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone, left, talks with Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, right, after the. Jacksonville Jaguars’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday June 10, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Luke Fortner was never going to make the Jaguars' roster in 2025, so getting absolutely anything for him is a positive step for the franchise and general manager James Gladstone. These are the kind of moves that strong, successful front offices make, and Gladstone has seemingly pushed all of the right buttons so far.

Gladstone and the Jaguars' front office have been proactive about filling needs since the draft ended, a big changeup from the last regime. We will see how the moves pan out, but right now Gladstone is making the kind of moves that proven general managers make year in and year out.

Jonah Monheim made this deal possible

Jacksonville Jaguars assistant offensive line/run game specalist Keli'i Kekuewa, left, talks technique with center Jonah Monheim (60) during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The biggest reason Fortner was not going to make the roster had to do with rookie offensive lineman Jonah Monheim. The USC product has stepped his game up over the course of the preseason and has not allowed a single pressure over the entire course of the preseason.

Monheim has been a positive bright spot for the Jaguars' offensive line depth and rookie class, and his development directly allowed them to make this kind of move. Without him, the Jaguars may have been forced to keep Fortner on the roster moving into 2025.

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